The Greater Accra region according to regional prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Ghana is the second highest with a drastic increase in prevalence from 2010 figure of 2.6 percent to 3.1 percent.

The prevalence rate for the Tema Metropolis stands at 2.6 per cent.

The situation has been de­scribed as "worrying" and should, therefore, engage the at­tention and co-operation of all persons in the quest to address the challenges associated with HIV and AIDS in the region.

A Consult­ant (GAC) of the Technical Sup­port Unit of the Regional Co-ordinating Council, Rita Afriyie,  said the HIV epidemic in Greater Accra was a generalised one, with pockets of high prevalence among the most-at-risk popula­tion.

This year’s AIDS Day was marked under the global theme "ending the AIDS epidemic as part of the Sustain­able Development Goals" while the theme for the country was "Fast track: Meeting the health needs of children towards an HIV-free generation".

The World AIDS Day is set aside to remember persons in­fected and affected by the virus as well as reflect on the effects of the epidemic on the development of the nation and to renew the world's commitment to work to­wards a generation free of HIV and AIDS.

Although she noted that the regional prevalence of 3.1 per cent had remained stable and below five per cent over the past 17 years, she stressed the need for the commitment of all per­sons to join in the fight against the disease, to bring the percent­age down to its barest minimum.

She mentioned the groups at risk as homosexuals, female sex workers, youth between ages 12- 24, workers such as uniformed service and transport workers, and vulnerable groups such as fe­male head-porters and some ge­ographic areas disproportionately affected such as slums.

Ms. Afriyie advised all per­sons to get tested to know their HIV status since it was an impor­tant step in determining their fu­ture, saying "we all have to play a part, no matter how small it may be, in eliminating HIV in the country".

The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, emphasised the need for children of school-going age to abstain from sex, and rather concentrate on their education, saying "sex is for adults and not children".

He also cautioned children against experimenting with con­doms, while encouraging married couples to be faithful to their part­ners and reminded the public of the acronyms "A,B,C" which means "Abstinence, Be faithful and Condom use".

The chairperson of the Net­work of Persons Living With HIV and AIDS (NAP+Ghana), Mr. Raymond Ahorlu, highlighted the need for people to show more love and care towards persons living with HIV and also encourage them to access treatment to en­able them live healthy lives.