The Greater Accra Regional Office of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has inaugurated a nine-member Regional Committee to oversee and coordinate the decentralised HIV and AIDS response in the region.
The inauguration, held in Accra on Wednesday, was in line with Section Nine of the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act 938), which mandates the establishment of Regional Committees to support the implementation of the Commission’s functions at the sub-national level.
Mr Kakra Essamuah, Chairperson of the Governing Board, GAC, speaking on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, said members of the Committee would perform the functions of the Commission in the region, as directed in writing by the Governing Board.
He said the Committee would regulate procedures governing its meetings and ensure effective coordination of HIV interventions in the region.
Mr Essamuah expressed confidence that with commitment and hard work, the region could make progress towards achieving the national HIV targets, particularly the 95 95 95 fast track targets by 2030.
He explained that the targets sought to ensure that 95 per cent of people living with HIV knew their status; 95 per cent of those diagnosed received sustained antiretroviral therapy, and 95 per cent of people on treatment achieved viral suppression.
Attaining those targets was critical to positioning Ghana to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, he noted.
Madam Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, said the region remained a critical front in Ghana’s HIV response due to its high population density and mobility.
She urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to integrate HIV interventions into their development plans to accelerate progress towards epidemic control.
Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, the Acting Director, GAC, disclosed that the Government was working to operationalise the National HIV and AIDS Fund to ensure sustainable domestic financing for the response amid declining donor support.
“This is the only way we can sustain and advance our national response,” he said, encouraging the public to support the Fund by dialling *9898# and following the prompts to donate.
Madam Rita Afriyie, Technical Coordinator of the Greater Accra Technical Support Unit, presenting the 2024 National and Sub-National HIV Estimates, said Greater Accra continued to record a significant HIV burden, with variations across districts.
She said the data revealed disparities in adult HIV prevalence among districts, underscoring the need for targeted, district-specific interventions.
Madam Afriyie noted that recent estimates pointed to a gradual reduction in HIV prevalence, new infections and AIDS related deaths, largely attributed to increased uptake of antiretroviral therapy services.
She said sustained efforts were required to consolidate the gains achieved and recommended intensified awareness creation, expanded testing services and improved access to treatment to ensure the region attained epidemic control.
Madam Afriyie called for continuous education and advocacy on the 95 95 95 targets, stressing that achieving them would require collective effort from government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional authorities, faith-based groups and the private sector.
Following the inauguration, a Greater Accra Regional HIV Stakeholders’ Forum was held to engage key actors, foster dialogue and align strategies to improve HIV prevention, treatment and care outcomes in the region.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from stakeholders to work collaboratively towards eliminating HIV and AIDS in the Greater Accra Region.
Source: GNA
