Abesim (B/A), July 25, GNA- An official of the Ghana AIDS Commission, said according to UNAIDS report, about 33.2 million people were living with HIV in 2007 while an estimated 2.5 million adults and children were newly infected with the virus in the world. Dr. Sylvia J. Anie, Director, Policy and Planning of the Commission, said Sub-Saharan Africa, continued to bear the greatest brunt of the global epidemic with two-thirds (68 per cent) of all adults and children being infected with HIV globally. She was speaking on the topic "HIV and AIDS, Global, Regional and National Experience", at a two-day consultative workshop aimed at developing 2009 HIV/AIDS programme for the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regions, at Abesim on Friday.

The event that was organised by the Commission attracted participants from the two regions including representatives of the Ghana Education Service, district assemblies and traditional authorities among others. Dr Anie said one-third (32 per cent) of all people with HIV globally lived in Southern Africa and that 32 per cent of all deaths due to AIDS in 2006 occurred there. She said in Ghana, the national prevalence rate stood at 1.9 per cent with the antenatal care rate at 2.6 per cent. Dr Anie said only seven per cent of Ghanaians knew their HIV status and advised the people to undertake voluntary testing and counselling. She said only 17 per cent of people living with the pandemic were accessing antiretroviral drug. Dr Anie said addressing the issue of vulnerability of women, achieving behavioural change, reducing stigma and discrimination, increasing coverage of antiretroviral therapy and nutrition posed great challenges to the Commission. She mentioned other challenges as community support for people with HIV/AIDS, private sector involvement in HIV/AIDS activities and financial support.

Speaking on "Budgetary and Resource Considerations", Mr. Anthony Boateng, Accounts Manager of the Commission, said a total amount of 47,905,354.00 dollars were provided to the Commission for its programme for this year by donors partners.

He said they included the World Bank, DANIDA and Global Fund with the Ghana Government making initial contribution of 1 million dollars. Mr Boateng said 5-6 million dollars out of a total of 11, 082, 732 dollars, which formed the pooling component of the overall amount given to the Commission have so far been spent by various organisation involved in the crusade against HIV/AIDS. He said another 11, 082, 732 dollars would be released after the organisations submit reports on their activities to the Commission. Mr Boateng appealed to district assemblies to pool resources and generate funds to support the work of the Commission since the country could not continue to rely on donor partners to fight HIV/AIDS. Mr. Nelson Menokpo, Workshop Facilitator, said the 2009 programme of work would consider issues like the need for expanded investment in HIV prevention to complement and enhance HIV/AIDS control and behavioural change strategies, targeting vulnerable groups. As part of the process, the Commission, working with its district and regional stakeholders, would collaborate with other stakeholders to assess gaps, challenges and opportunities in the current national response to the scourge.