2006 HIV Prevalence rises
Accra, April 30, GNA -
The 2006 National HIV Prevalence rate is 2.22 (3.2 per cent), an increase in the 2005's prevalence rate of 2.21 (2.7 per cent).
A global decision by the United Nations Reference Group on HIV Estimates and Projections comprising WHO, UNAIDS, Future Institutes, United States Census Bureau and the World Bank indicated that a new methodology be used to find the national prevalence rate for HIV by putting together the Demographic Health Survey, Sentinel Survey and the Population Survey to arrive at the National Prevalence.
"With the new methodology, Ghana's HIV Prevalence rate for 2006 is 2.22", Dr Nii Akwei Addo, National Programme Manager of the National AIDS Control Programme said on Monday at the "National Dissemination of the 2006 HIV Sentinel Survey Report, Estimates and Projections of HIV/AIDS in Ghana".
He noted that all countries, including Ghana would henceforth calculate their prevalence rate using the new model. The 2006 sentinel survey, saw Eastern region leading with 4.9 per cent followed by Western, Ashanti, Greater Accra, Upper East, Volta and Brong Ahafo with 4.3, 3.7, 3.4, 3.2, 3.0, and 2.8 per cents respectively.
Northern region recorded the lowest of 1.3 per cent whilst Central and Upper West Regions recorded 2.5 each respectively.
Agomenya, which recorded a decline in 2005 with 6.0 per cent, reverted to its position as the site with the highest prevalence with 8.4 per cent with Nalerigu recording the lowest with 1.0 per cent. HIV type 1 has since the discovery of the virus in 1986 been the strain with the highest proportion of more than 90 per cent of the infections. HIV type 11 throughout the years has accounted for not more than 1 per cent but showed a slight increase in 2006 survey.
The highest prevalence was recorded in the 25 to 29 year group with 4.2 per cent and 40 to 44 year group with 3.3 per cent. The 30 to 34 year group recorded the second highest level of HIV infection with 3.7 per cent with 15 to 19 year group recording the lowest HIV infection with 1.4 per cent.
Dr Addo explained that the 15 to 24 age group alone contributed 30 per cent to the total HIV positive cases whilst persons below the age of 35 years contributed 88 per cent of the total positive samples. The new infections were mostly recorded in the 15 to 24 age group. He called for an escalation in efforts to reduce prevalence in the younger age group adding, "it will be the key to reducing the over all prevalence".
He noted the over all HIV prevalence could be said to be at the stabilisation stage with prevalence reverting to the levels recorded in 2004 having dropped for two continuous years at 3.1 and 2.7 in 2005 adding that "analysis by the sentinel sites showed that the prevalence at site level was far from being stable".
Dr Addo explained that as access to treatment was increasing, prevalence would rise and said the prevention component of the national response be given higher attention to balance the effect.
Mr Silas Quaye, Programme Officer of National AIDS Control Programme said Sexually Transmitted Infections, which had been identified as a co factor in HIV infection and testing for syphilis had been part of the HIV sentinel survey in Ghana since 2004. He said syphilis prevalence for 2006 saw a decline from 3.6 in 2005 to 3.3 and 5.6 in 2004 with Asikuma Odoben Brakwa in the Central Region leading with 20. 8 per cent.
Akim Oda, Assin Fosu, Cape Coast, Sewfi Asafo and Asunafo followed with 19.2, 18.5, 16.4, 16.4 and 12.0 per cents respectively. North Tongu (rural) for the second time has recorded 0.0 per cent. He said syphilis in rural areas were higher than urban areas whilst prevalence was higher in the older age groups of 40 to 44 year group representing 8.1 per cent than the younger age group of 25 to 29 representing 4.6 per cent.
Central, Eastern, Western and Ashanti Regions have the highest syphilis prevalence in Ghana and said infection levels needed further investigation especially with its relationship with Yaws and HIV.
Source:
GNA
Farmers threaten demonstration
Adamanso (W/R), April 30, GNA -
Some farmers at Adamanso in the Amenfi East District whose farmlands a mining company, Golden Star Resources Bogoso/Prestea, has taken over without paying compensation have said they would demonstrate against the company on Wednesday. They said the company had employed the services of soldiers to prevent them from entering their farms "and this is a recipe for confrontation."
Mr Korankye Yankey, a spokesman for the farmers, said this at a meeting with Mrs Doris Agyepomaa Oduro, the Wassa Amenfi East District Chief Executive held at Adamanso.
He said the farmers had sworn to use "any possible means" to push for their compensation.
Mr Yankey said the company was hiding behind "speculative farming" to avoid payment of compensation and asked "What is speculative farming to a farmer who tills the land throughout the year"? Mrs Oduro appealed to the farmers to suspend the demonstration and to use dialogue to settle the dispute.
"Though the nation is looking for investors, it is their responsibility to abide by the laws of the land," she said.
Source:
GNA
13 UEW Students Die In 4 Months
Thirteen students of the University of Education, Winneba have died since the beginning of this year.
The causes of death are however not known as the post-mortem reports on their deaths were submitted direct to their families by hospital authorities.
Alarmed at this development, the authorities have decided that starting from next academic year, a yearly medical examination of all its students will be conducted to determine their health status.
Though the examination would not be compulsory, all students would be billed at an average of ¢50,000 for it.
The decision was agreed on jointly by the university authorities and the student leadership.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jophus Anamuah-Mensah, announced this when the MP for Awutu Effutu-Senya and Deputy Minister of Health, Samuel Owusu-Agyei, presented assorted medical items valued at ¢15 million through the UEW branch of TESCON to the university clinic.
He said the university with the support of Barclays Bank, Ghana, is putting up a ¢1 billion clinic at the campus for the screening and to serve students who fall sick.
He noted that students who fall sick on campus are unable to access medical attention at the various hospitals because of lack of funds and as a result, most of them instead of having thorough check-ups only get first aid treatment.
Prof. Anamuah-Mensah said that after the screeening those found to have emergency cases or serious sicknesses would be referred to a hospital, adding that those with minor cases would be given treatment on regular basis at the university’s clinic.
Source:
Times
Kufuor Acknowledges Rawlings' Role In Nations Dev't
President J.A. Kufuor has acknowledged the various roles played by former heads of state of the country, including Flt. Lt. J.J Rawlings, in the nation's socio-economic development during the past 50 years of the country's history.
He was however quick and emphatic to say that the government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), under his leadership, had performed creditably since the party took over the reigns of government about seven years ago.
The President made the acknowledgement when he addressed a grand durbar of people chiefs and people of the Brong Ahafo region to mark the celebration of the Region's Day at the Jubilee Park in Sunyani on Saturday, as part of the year-long Ghana @ 50 celebrations.
The theme for the celebration was "Our Region, Our People".
The President pointed out that the achievement of the NPP government had won the admiration of the international community, hence their preparedness to assist the government in its development programme.
He therefore urged the people not to be swayed by the detractors of his administration but to renew the mandate of the NPP, to continue with its good work even when he left office, adding that his government had created "a good path” in the socio-economic development of the country.
The President emphasised that good governance, free speech and transparency were some of the hallmarks of his government and that be would ensure the democratic process, which has gained root and had been acclaimed in Africa and the world as a whole, would not be derailed.
He said every Ghanaian should feel proud and happy about what had been achieved so far in the past 50 years of Ghana becoming a sovereign state, saying that 50 years of nationhood was a long journey, which the people should not forget.
President Kufuor stressed that Ghana had become a beacon of hope for Africa and across the world owing to the strong democratic principles it had embarked upon and that was why the government was not toying with democracy and constitutional rule.
The President, however, expressed his disgust at the way some people went about saying all sorts of things about the government, and stated that the government would now deal with those who took the law into their own hands.
He noted that the development of every nation depended on the training and proper upbringing of the people, and that was why the government had embarked on a drastic educational reform in which every child who attained four years was to enter Kindergarten and continue at the Primary through to Junior High School (JHS).
President Kufuor also gave the assurance that under the new reform, teachers were to enjoy several packages and benefits so that they would offer their best in the training of the child, adding that the children were the future hope of the country.
On health, President Kufuor urged the people to embrace and enrol with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHLS), stressing that the aged and children under 18 years were to enjoy free medical care under the scheme.
He said the government was committed to developing all parts of the country and assured the people that it was not the intention of his government to discriminate against any section of the people on the ground that they did not vote the NPP to power.
He said employment opportunities and loans were being given to the youth, to enable them to engage in small-scale businesses so as to reduce poverty levels.
President Kufuor observed that there were as many as 53 chieftaincy disputes in the Brong Ahafo region and therefore urged the Regional House of Chiefs to, as a matter of urgency, find amicable solutions to all the disputes.
On the current energy crisis, President Kufuor gave the assurance that the government was working tirelessly to solve the problem, saying it was for that reason that he went to Nigeria a couple of days ago to meet with President Olusegun Obasanjo for further discussions.
He urged the people to be patient with the government as it sought to provide only what was good for them, adding that even though the process of development might be slow, there was still hope.
President Kufuor paid glowing tribute to the late Dr K.A. Busia, who became the Prime Minister when his Progress Party formed the government in 1969, describing him as "an illustrious son of Wenchi in the region", and as his mentor and teacher.
The President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV, urged the people to sacrifice their personal interests for unity, peace, stability and tranquillity, which, he said, were basic ingredients for development.
He commended the government for the provision of a number of infrastructure in the region but made a number of requests to the President in the areas of education, roads and sports, among other needs.
The Brong Regional Minister, Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, indicated that the region contributed 30 per cent to the country's food requirements, describing it as the "bread basket" of the country, and that it had the largest agricultural markets, which were patronised by traders from all corners of the country and neighbouring Burkina Faso, Togo and Niger.
Source:
Daily Graphic
Is VRA Broke?
... Owes Cote d’Ivoire $60m
The reason Ivory Coast cut off power to Ghana recently is that the latter’s Volta River Authority owes the former an amount of $60 million, the minority National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) deputy ranking member on Mines and Energy, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho, has alleged.
“Apart from the technical reasons being given, the real cause is that we owe them. I have gone deep into the matter and have heard that the VRA owes them almost 60 million dollars,” he explained.
Alhaji Sorogho, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abokobi-Madina, made the allegation at a forum organised by the Society of National Affairs (SONA) at the University of Ghana, Legon.
The forum, which brought together students as well as politicians from both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the NDC, was on the theme: “Ghana’s Energy Crisis- Any Solution In Sight?”
He said Government did not do enough to avert the energy crisis, arguing it could have learnt from the 1998 energy crisis that befell the nation.
“When the NPP took over, there was no power crisis and I wonder if we cannot take what is happening as causing financial loss to the state.”
He said the energy crisis had caused incalculable loss to the nation, as it had affected it adversely in several ways.
“Factories are closing down. Workers are being laid off and education is being affected.”
Alhaji Sorogho said although no one prayed that problems should arise, there was the urgent need for Government to tackle problems head-on when they occurred.
He accused President J.A Kufuor of lying to Ghanaians when he stated in his state of the nation address that the energy crisis would be over within two weeks; but the situation had rather worsened.
The Minister of the Interior, Hon. Albert Kan Dapaah, dismissed Hon. Sorogho’s allegation that Ghana’s indebtedness to Ivory Coast was the cause of that country’s power supply cut off to Ghana.
“About the Ivorian issue, the truth of the matter is that they have technical problems. It is not money that is causing the problem. In fact, when we came to power, we were owing them more than we are today.”
He maintained that the unfortunate development followed production difficulties as a result of dwindling hydro-electric output and low gas supplies which had compelled the Ivorian authorities to start a load shedding exercise in some parts of Abidjan.
He however assured Ghanaians that Government was doing its best to ensure that uninterrupted power returned to the country.
Hon. Kan-Dapaah said Government had no apologies for not resorting to thermal energy, as that was too expensive, and Government deliberately decided not to adopt it.
He assured the students that he would consult the Minister for Energy to see if the university could at least be taken off the load-shedding exercise during its examination period.
The minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, Hon. Stephen Asamoah-Boateng, advised the students to be conscious of climate change and the need to protect the environment in whatever they did.
“As students, you have to be aware of the environmental impact of everything you do, otherwise Akosombo might be a desert.” He called on all Ghanaians to try as much as possible to conserve energy.
“Use energy-conserving bulbs and gadgets and do things that are environmentally-friendly.”
The Executive Director of SONA, Anane Agyei had earlier made an appeal that students of the university be given lights, at least, during their ongoing end of semester examination.
Source:
Dail Guide
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