Stakeholders meets for strategic plan to control  HIV and ADIS 

Stakeholders in the management of HIV and AIDS in the educational sector are meeting in a two day workshop at Dodowa to develop a five-year strategic plan for the Network of Teachers and Educational Workers in HIV and AIDS.

It is a follow-up to the recommendations of a regional workshop in support of teachers infected and affected by HIV in the West and Central African sub-region held two years ago.

The workshop which is being organised by the HIV and AIDS Secretariat of the Ministry of Education with support from an international NGO into Child Health and Development Partnership for Child Development is attended by the Network of Teachers and Educational Workers in HIV and AIDS in Ghana, NAGRAT, GNAT and other stakeholders.

In a speech delivered by a Chief Director at the Ministry of Education, Enoch Cobbina emphasized that the Ministry guarantees supportive environment for all employees and learners infected and affected by the HIV virus.

He reiterated that the Ministry's HIV and AIDS policy prohibits stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV.

The Ghana Programmes Manager of Partnership for Child Development, Mrs. Gertrude Ananse-Baiden said teachers as the nerve center of education must be protected from the AIDS pandemic.

She added that children may not derive the full benefit of education if teachers are infected by the disease.

An Executive Member of the network of teachers and educational workers in HIV and AIDS, Ghana, Haruna Ibn Hassan said the network has been experiencing slow membership drive due to stigma and discrimination. 

He urged the participants to critically look at the challenges confronting the teachers and workers in the educational sector infected by HIV.

Source: GBC.