By Patrick Biddah
Persons living with HIV/ AIDS, have called on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to redeem the $100 million pledge he made to them at the United Nations High-level Meeting in 2021.
The money is supposed to be spread over a five year period to the National HIV/AIDS fund.
The $100m among others is to make up for the dwindling inflow of donor funds in the fight against the disease.
Addressing a press conference last Friday , the President of the Ghana HIV/AIDS network ( GHANET) , Mr Ernest Amoabeng Orstin, indicated that there is no better time for the President who is the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Ghana AIDS Commission to honour that pledge than now that there is a resurgence of the disease.
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He said the money is needed to secure drugs for patients and carry out education and sensitization since for 10 years now this have not been carried out in schools, mosques and markets among others.
In Ghana today, Mr Amoabeng Orstin, indicated that there are 350, 000 persons living with HIV. Out of this number there are 250, 000 adults and over 12, 000 children
“ Additionally , we are also speaking on behalf of over 235,000 children who have been orphaned by AIDS”, he noted.
The press conference was not only attended by members of the GHANET but also Other Civil Society Organizations connected to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
They also called on the First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, to help make resources available in her capacity as the face of ‘Free To Shine “ campaign in Ghana under the auspices of the Organisatin of African First Ladies .
In 2016 , the Ghana AIDS Commission Act ( 938) was amended to make for the establishment of the National HIV/AIDS Fund .
The Fund, has unfortunately not seen the light of day because the Minister for Finance is supposed to activate it.
They, therefore, called on the Finance Minister to include it in the 2023 national budget.
