The Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Global Media Foundation, Raphael Godlove Ahenu, has stressed the need for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to intensify nationwide community awareness on HIV and AIDS.

According to him, this will help eliminate all forms of stigma and discrimination targeted at People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) and people affected by Tuberculosis (TB) at the community level.

Mr Ahenu said stigma and discrimination relating to TB and HIV constitute a complex barrier to HIV and TB interventions in Ghana.

He explained that although there have been various initiatives to reduce stigma and discrimination in health facilities by sensitising and training healthcare workers to be key population-friendly, community-level stigmatisation did not feature.

 “The situation has increased stigma and discrimination as well as violations of the rights of PLWHIV, persons affected by TB, and other key and vulnerable populations within the communities mainly due to ignorance,” Mr Ahenu noted.

The human rights crusader said providing training for community members on human rights, stigma and discrimination related to TB and HIV will dispel ignorance and empower community members to appreciate, uphold and promote the rights of others, particularly that of their patients and other Key Vulnerable Population (KVP).

“General lack of awareness of rights and the need to protect the rights of PLWHIV and people affected by TB has increased stigma and discrimination at the community level,” he added.

Mr Ahenu stressed the need to create an enabling environment to promote access to justice by all, irrespective of their HIV or TB status, their sexual orientations, and their social vulnerability.

According to him, this is paramount in any intervention aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination and promoting the human rights of all persons, including PLWHIV and other vulnerable groups.

Mr Ahenu, who doubles as the Brong Ahafo regional Chairman of Ghana HIV and AIDS Network, noted the increased awareness for PLWHIV and other KVP regarding rights and existing protections against discrimination, including the Patient Charter and the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, is very crucial.

The CEO called for the creation of an enabling environment that will promote access to justice by all.

He added, ”this is crucial in any intervention aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination and promoting the human rights of all persons, including PLWHIV and other vulnerable groups”.

He suggested that making laws to address human rights issues, stigma and discrimination interventions should feature, just as advocacy for enabling policy environment and guidelines are required for rights protection and push for the zero-stigma agenda.

“Promoting HIV-related legal literacy and undertaking human rights and legal education through workshops could play an important role in changing the narrative,” Mr Ahenu emphasised.

He consequently reminded Ghanaians that HIV cases are still increasing across the country.

“I, therefore, urge all to be mindful of their sexual choices since HIV is still real and devastating many families,” he stated.