In Ghana, more than 40 000 youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are HIV positive. Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, director general of the Ghana AIDS Commission, said.
At the Joy Christian Forum titled “Chastity and Morality: How are the Youth Staying Chaste in Today’s World?” he presented these alarming facts.
The event aimed to address some of the complex immoral problems that young people have been struggling with recently as a result of a lack of employment opportunities, exposure to a variety of financial and sexual pressures, as well as various forms of immorality.
Dr. Atuahene estimates that 11% of the 355,000 Ghanaians who have been infected with the virus since the first case was discovered are young people.
Dr. Atuahene said, “Despite the commission’s goal to cut infections by 17% per year, we are unable to do so due to increases in immoral activities.
He did, however, acknowledge that in 2022, infections had been reduced by 8%.
According to the head of the AIDs Commission, “When we talk about HIV, we focus more on new infections because the more people get infected, the more we keep adding to the existing number.”
He said that since the genitalia of women are a vessel for the virus, they are more likely to catch it. Women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection due to the fragility of the vaginal membrane and the tissue that lies beneath it.
Dr. Atuahene further noted that patients with untreated STIs have increased risks of contracting HIV; in actuality, 10–13% of those with STIs also have HIV.
“You become significantly more vulnerable if you have ulcerative diseases like chlamydia, chancroid, or any other. You are more prone to become infected when you sleep with someone if you have any ulcer in that area, he said.
Dr. Atuahene advised youths to abstain from morally questionable actions that risk their lives.
Elder Amos Kevin-Annan, Convener of Singles in 3-D Summits, Rev. Mrs. Catherine Onwioduokit, a family life counsellor and Founding President of Family Renaissance International, as well as Ps. Andrew Yarquah, a pastor and counsellor based in Kumasi, served as the forum’s keynote speakers.
Host of Joy FM’s Christian Talkshow, “A Walk With Jesus” and daily devotion, “Joy Time In His Presence” and Prayer Line, Ps. Ato Acquah moderated the discussions.
The program was aired on Joy FM and all Joy social media handles.
