CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
by Samuel Sarpong, Ghana, September 1998
THEME = AIDS
Because Ghana has a definite HIV/AIDS
prevention programme,
there is hope of controlling the dreaded disease
If most Ghanaians had been quizzed some seven years ago on whether a cure had been found for AIDS in their country, their answer would have been a simple, "yes". This was quite understandable in view of the considerable stir in Ghanaian medical circles by a supposed discovery. A rumour was circulating that AIDS patients undergoing treatment at Nwoase, a rural settlement in Brong Ahafo region, had had their known symptoms reversed. This alleged breakthrough was attributed to a herbal preparation administered by Nana Kofi Drobo, a herbalist, who died in 1992 under mysterious circumstances. Ghana's Ministry of Health was initially hesitant in its approach to the herbalist's claims, but later started to cooperate with the herbal treatment centre. The government then indicated its determination to help establish a hostel for the multitude of patients who thronged the place for medical attention. Although the centre treated other diseases apart from AIDS, the alleged discovery of an AIDS cure, placed it in the limelight. But it turned out that the efficacy of the particular herbal preparation could not be determined scientifically. Matters took a dramatic turn when, in 1992, after a stay in Japan to have his drug tested by Japanese scientists, the herbalist shot himself when he returned to Ghana - at least that was the story going the rounds. (It was also rumoured that Drobo's private secretary, Paa Koi, had murdered him, but there was no conclusive evidence to support the accusation).
Ghanaians still have mixed reactions to the whole "cure" incident. Some think the herbalist killed himself because his drug had proved to be ineffective; others hold to the murder theory. Be that as it may, the whole drama affected the outcome of the campaign against AIDS.
Why? Well, young people had felt they could get help from the centre for any medical crisis, especially as the government seemed to have initially given its backing to Drobo's centre. This was in sharp contrast to their attitude towards other herbalists who also claimed to have found some form of treatment. At the present moment, the government is being more careful in order not to derail any gains made in the fight to prevent and control AIDS in the country.
HIV is believed to have started spreading to Ghana in the early to mid-1980s. The first cases were detected in 1986. By the end of that year, Ghana had recorded 42 cases. Since 1986, the Ministry of Health has instituted a surveillance system whereby AIDS cases diagnosed in districts, regional and teaching hospitals, are reported. An intensive health education campaign has also been mounted, using various media channels.
The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), the organisation responsible for coordinating the national response to the AIDS problem, has been targeting sections of the population at risk, such as long-distance truck drivers, commercial sex workers and the military.
Workshops and seminars have been organised for health and social workers at both national and regional levels. The intention is to update them on their knowledge and prevention of AIDS. Counselling units have been set up in regional hospitals, to facilitate the provision of psychological support for people with HIV infection and their families.
In spite of the creation of a deep-seated awareness in the country, and providing measures for individual protection and checking its spread, the AIDS situation gives cause for concern.
- AIDS patients are ostracised. They are looked down upon and considered to be "ungodly people whose sins are being made manifest with the affliction".
- Despite the knowledge and awareness of the disease, people still indulge in promiscuous relations without giving a thought to the AIDS scare. Gyamfi Boateng, a journalist and a member of the Media Network on AIDS says: "I think people don't care because they have not come to grips with the disease. We've never had anyone in the public eye who has come forward and declared himself/herself to be an AIDS victim and shown the consequences of having AIDS".
- Infected people don't want others to know about their condition because of the social consequences often associated with such a situation. In a country where cultural beliefs and other social considerations weigh heavily on the people, many HIV/AIDS cases are not reported for several reasons. Indeed, some people do not even seek hospital care, rather they take delight in visiting shrines and spiritual churches for deliverance and healing services.
- In some circumstances, some AIDS victims may die before they are ever diagnosed as having AIDS, because most of the rural health care facilities don't have the capacity to test for HIV infection. "A number of people could be infected with the HIV without knowing it. They have no symptoms at all. However, all of them are capable of passing on the AIDS virus to others", declares Dr Kwadwo Yeboah, NACP's Programme Manager.
The actual number of AIDS cases in the country may not be known. It is, however, generally acknowledged that the officially reported cases, represent less than 50% of all cases of AIDS that have occurred in the country. By the end of 1997, a cumulative figure of 24,692 cases had been reported in the country.
The preponderance of cases in various age groups, confirms that heterosexual contact is the predominant mode of transmission in Ghana. The most sexually active group (20-39 year group), make up about 70% of the total number of cases. Data available indicates that compared to men, women in Ghana tend to get AIDS at a younger age. AIDS, more than any disease, has the potential to destabilise the fabric of society, since it mainly affects those in the reproductive ages, usually the bread-winners. In Obuasi, a mining town which is home to the Ashanti Goldfields Company Limited, (the largest mine in Africa), reported cases continue to swell, giving an indication that sooner or later, the mine will have a reduced labour force if immediate steps are not taken. Presently, the country has no law which requires the dismissal of those thought to be HIV-positive from employment, neither is there any law which requires prospective employees to go for AIDS tests as a basis for their engagement.
Christian institutions have not been left out in the crusade to fight the pandemic. The Salvation Army, for instance, has been supporting the erection of billboards in most parts of the country advising against the disease. One billboard reads: "The Best Christian Discipline Is To Stick To Your Partners". Various organisations such as the Christian Council of Ghana and The Catholic Secretariat, among others, are participating in education and awareness programmes specially organised to combat AIDS and its effects.
However, certain charismatic Churches have taken a hard-line approach in this area. They require their members who intend to marry, to go for medical tests before their marriages can be blessed. In situations where some of the suitors are tested positive, the pastors turn down the marriages. But, should any Christian organisation demand such a pre-nuptial medical examination? The debate lingers on.
The best known organisation working hard to protect the youth from the incidence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)s, is the Ghana Social Marketing Programme. This particular organisation is involved in condom promotion and distribution, and has on numerous occasions invited rap artistes and reggae stars like Yellow Man from Jamaica, Lucky Dube from South Africa and other versatile groups to take part in concerts aimed at spreading "preventing AIDS" messages.
One of the worst results of deaths from AIDS, especially in the young adult age-group, is an increase in the number of orphans. An AIDS orphan is defined as a child under the age of 15 who has lost his/her parent(s) from AIDS. The number of AIDS orphans in this country is on the increase, and according to the NACP, could reach about 160,000 by the year 2000. Coping with such a large number of orphans will lead to a tremendous strain on Ghana's social systems.
The NACP is one of the programmes co-ordinated by the Disease Control Unit of Ghana's Ministry of Health. The programme developed a five-year Medium Term Plan (MTP) for the period 1989-93 dealing with the objectives, strategies and activities for the prevention and control of the disease. When the MTP ended in 1993, a National Workshop was organised in June 1994 with the view of arriving at a consensus on the nature of the current and future epidemics, their determinants and their impact.
Among the accomplishments realised in the effort to prevent and control AIDS in Ghana, the following are included:
But everyone agrees that the continuation and development of Ghana's HIV/AIDS prevention programme is imperative for the country's well-being.
END
CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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