Accra, Oct. 2, GNA - The Director of Policy and Planning of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), Dr. Sylvia J. Anie-Akwetey on Friday urged Ghanaians not to be complacent with the decline in the national HIV prevalence rate, but should rather embrace behavioural change to reduce infection.

"Whether HIV and AIDS prevalence will remain low indefinitely or not will largely depend on our knowledge of factors that influence the spread of the epidemic and how this knowledge could be translated to more effective policies and evidence-based interventions," she said at a workshop for women in Accra to encourage them to test and know their HIV/AIDS status.

The workshop was organised by the Foundation for the Advancement of Women in Africa (FAWA), an International non-governmental organisation that champions the cause of women.

She took the women through the causes of HIV and AIDS, mode of transmission, symptoms and the differences between HIV and AIDS, among other things, and advised women not to discriminate against persons living with HIV and AIDS.

Dr. Anie-Akwetey debunked the notion that HIV could be transmitted through the use of household utensils and casual relationship such as embracing People Living With HIV/AIDS. She noted that the virus thrived only in blood and that it could not survive for five minutes without it. There is the need to live in harmony with persons living with the HIV and AIDS, she said, and noted that anyone could become HIV/AIDS positive.

"There is therefore the need for all to test and know their status," he said, adding that knowing one's status was the only way to suppress the multiplication of the virus.

In a speech read on his behalf, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Dr. Alfred Oko Vanderpuije also emphasized the need to reduce HIV/AIDS to the barest minimum.

He lauded the GAC initiative to decentralise the fight against the disease and said the Assembly had focal persons who were mandated to monitor the activities of other stakeholders within their geographical areas.

Dr. Vanderpuije announced that a draft HIV/ AIDS work policy to be co-financed by the Assembly and the city of Amsterdam under the Sister Cities relationship would soon be presented for approval and implementation and called for strong advocacy behavioural change. Mrs. Princess Alberta McCarthy, founder of FAWA, said the non-governmental organisation had worked with many women over the years to educate and teach them skills that would empower them. She called on women to unite and fight against the disease. 2 Oct. 09 TMA/JA