Takoradi, June 23, GNA - Mr. Mohammed Ali, Presiding Member of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), on Wednesday launched the STI/HIV/AIDS prevention project of the Western Regional branch of the National Drinking Bar Operators Association (NADBOA) at Takoradi. In an address, he said, Ghana's estimated national HIV prevalence rate has risen from 1.7 per cent in 2008 to 1.9 per cent in 2009. Mr. Ali who deputized for Mr. Kobina Pra Annan, the Metropolitan Chief Executive, said in 2009, 267,069 persons were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in the country.

He said 25,531 new infections and 20,313 AIDS deaths were recorded in 2009.

Mr. Ali said the Western Region has HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 3.1 per cent and all stakeholders should join hands to reduce the rate of the pandemic in the region.

He said although Ghana's prevalent rate is below the threshold of 5 per cent, all surrounding countries have high prevalence rates of 5 per cent and above. Mr. Ali said this problem would be compounded by the oil find in commercial quantities which would necessitate the influx of migrants. He said this alarming situation has been worsened by the fact that although people seem to be aware of the disease, the behavioural change that would reduce its incidence is absent.

Mr. Ali said patrons of drinking bars indulge in unprotected sex when under the influence of alcohol, and some go in for commercial sex workers who have invaded the region as a result of the oil boom. He said others sometimes attempt to defile children as a means of satisfying their aroused lust, and a good number of them target beautiful and handsome bar attendants.

Mr. Ali commended the association for launching the project to check the activities of irresponsible men and women who patronize drinking bars, and lure bar attendants into sexual practices with money and other material gifts under the pretext of improving upon their socio-economic standards. Mr. Mahama Abu, Regional STI/HIV/AIDS Focal Person, said the region recorded HIV prevalence rate of 2.09 per cent in 2008 and 3.1 per cent in 2009.

He said in 2008, the prevalence rate in Sekondi-Takoradi was 3 per cent and in 2009, 4 per cent.

Mr. Abu said 6.6 per cent of the victims were women between 25 to 27 years while 4 per cent were men.

He said HIV are increasing because both males and females are not using condoms and cultural practices like widowhood rites are also contributing to the spread of the disease.

Mr. Mahama suggested that women who undergo widowhood rites undertake Voluntary Counselling and Testing before getting married again. He said high incidence of syphilis was a contributory factor, adding that the prevalence of the disease in Sekondi-Takoradi is 9 per cent among people between 25 to 29 years and 40 to 44 years.

Mr. Mahama asked members of the association to establish condom outlets in their drinking bars, and assist to educate the public of HIV/AIDS. Mr. Kwesi Anwuboh, Regional Chairman of the Association, said 20 campaign agents would be trained as part of the project to facilitate the provision of information, education and counselling on STI/HIV/AIDS. He said about 200,000 male and female condoms were expected to be distributed while sensitization workshops would be organized for stakeholders.