Report By: Ishmael Barfi
In efforts to combat HIV and promote sexual reproductive health among young people, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana in partnership with Miss Malaika Ghana 2023 Winner, Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko, and other stakeholders has embarked on an HIV/AIDS prevention campaign.
The campaign under the theme: “HIV Prevention for Young People with Miss Malaika’s Live On Campaign,” is aimed to educate and empower young adolescents, including teenage mothers, in four regions of Ghana.
Together, UNFPA, Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko, and other stakeholders are working tirelessly to ensure that no young person is left behind in the fight against HIV. Their message is clear: “Abstain, be safe, and live on!”
The campaign is part of the 20th-anniversary celebration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ghana, affirming that HIV is still real and prevention is crucial.
Executive Director of the Purim African Youth Development Platform (PAYDP), Rev. Aku Xornam Kevi
Speaking at the official launch of the campaign held on July 31, 2024, at the Wesley Grammar Senior High School, Dansoman- Accra, Rev. Aku Xornam Kevi, Executive Director of PAYDP, reiterated UNFPA’s commitment towards the development and well-being of young people into adulthood.
“UNFPA is dedicated to supporting the transition of young people into adulthood, building their capacity, and protecting them from HIV, STIs, and teenage pregnancy,” she anchored.
Explaining the rationale and importance of the campaign, Miss Malaika 2023, Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko in an with the media said, the project aims to educate and empower young people about HIV prevention and treatment, targeting young people and teenage mothers.
According to her, “HIV is not over; it’s still in the system, and every day people get infected,” hence urged the students to know their status and also abstain from premarital sex.
Stressing the importance of abstinence and safe practices, she warned that “HIV is not written on anybody’s forehead, and anyone can be infected with the virus, no matter their origin, age, or personality, therefore the need to reach out to vulnerable groups, such as those in market communities, who often face challenges like homelessness and exploitation.
So passionate about the welfare of young people and an advocate for HIV awareness, Lady Nsarko is on a mission to contribute to ending HIV by 2030.
Due to the above, she called on the government to step up sensitization efforts and be willing to work together to combat the rising numbers of HIV infections.
Her campaign has already resonated with students at top universities and secondary schools, and she’s just getting started.
Miss Malaika Ghana 2023, Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko
Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko, winner of Miss Malaika Ghana 2023, was grateful to UNFPA Ghana and other stakeholders for their unwavering support in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Their collaboration she noted has been instrumental in making the campaign a success, and determined to continue spreading the message of HIV prevention and education to young people across Ghana.
For him, Dr. Stephen Eyisi Addo, Manager of the National AIDS and STI Control Program, shares Lady Nsarko’s sense of urgency emphasizing that. “Without knowledge, my people perish,” hence the need to empower young people with the skills to stay clear of risk, especially when it comes to HIV.
“Ghana is facing a stark reality: approximately 330,000 people are living with HIV, and the numbers continue to rise”, he revealed.
To him, prevention is crucial to achieving epidemic control stressing “We can’t treat our way out of this epidemic” adding “We need to focus on prevention, education, and empowerment.”
The National AIDS and STI Control Program is using innovative means to reach young people, including the ‘Touching Base With Miss Malaika’ campaign.
Miss Malaika Ghana 2023, Lady Nana Yaa Nsarko with Wesley Grammar Senior High School students
On the part of the National AIDS and STI Control, he indicated that they are using creative and innovative means to reach young people, and Miss Malaika is one of the channels of communications for HIV prevention.”
Dr. Addo emphasized the importance of suppressing the virus, achieving epidemic control, and keeping the country free of HIV adding “We need to ensure that people can continue to contribute to the development of our country.”
Speaking on behalf of the students, Miss. Margaret Pinto, the Secretary of the Wesley Grammar SHS Students Representative Council (SRC), called on her colleagues to abstain stressing that, abstinence is key to preventing HIV.
“We need to abstain from sexual activities to protect ourselves from contracting the virus,” she emphasized reiterating that HIV prevention is everyone’s responsibility, not just women and girls. “HIV is real, and it has no cure, so let’s all take responsibility and abstain,” she echoed.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
