Accra, Sept. 6, GNA - Professor Sakyi Awuku Amoa, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), on Wednesday launched a secretariat for the Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (NAP+ Ghana) with a call on Ghanaians to show support, companionship and compassion to Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs).

He said there was the need to create an enabling environment for PLWHAs to gain active involvement and participation in the national response.

"PLWHAs must be supported but how can this be done if they operate underground and do not have courage to own up for fear of being stigmatized and discriminated against?" he asked.

NAP+ Ghana Secretariat, established last year is aimed at improving the quality of life of all PLWHAs and preventing further infection through advocacy, information sharing and capacity strengthening. It would also among other things advocate for free universal access to treatment for opportunistic infections, anti-retroviral drugs and their availability at care and support centres, strengthen alliances and partnership with relevant bodies.

Prof. Amoa urged the secretariat not only to provide a rallying point for PLWHAs but also spearhead activities that would make them become a central focus of attention for the national response, support and promotion of their welfare.

He said the Commission had provided 450 million cedis to support them in their activities and assisted 32 PLWHAs associations this year with 35 million cedis each for their activities and their nutritional needs.

Major Moses Adraku, President of NAP+ Ghana, said SHARP, a non-governmental organization which is in care and support for HIV/AIDS victims, provided 97,400 dollars for the setting up of the secretariat. He said NAP+ Ghana was a national umbrella body that directed and coordinated the involvement of PLWHA associations in the national response by providing them with a common voice.

He commended GAC, UNAIDS and National AIDS Control Programme, among others, for their tremendous assistances in putting up the secretariat to assist PLWHAs. 06 Aug. 06