The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) references the article originally published by Starrfm online and subsequently by ghanaweb online on 3rd September, 2017 falsely accusing the GAC of ‘‘failing to provide help” to a seven-year-old HIV+ positive boy in the New Juaben Municipality. The article was titled “Social Welfare, Ghana AIDS C’sion abandon 7-year-old HIV boy”.
The GAC is a supra-ministerial and multi-sectoral body established by an Act of Parliament to provide support, guidance and leadership for the national response to the HIV epidemic. As portrayed in our institutional motto “Working actively and in partnership towards the elimination of HIV and AIDS” the Commission collaborates and works closely with a wide-range of organizations including Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Development Partners, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Community-based organizations (CBOs), Private Sector enterprises, Faith-based organizations (FBOs)and other Civil society organizations in carrying out its mandate.
In line with GAC’s motto and the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2016-2020, GAC recognises that the response to HIV in the country cannot only be done by the Commission. We work with a myriad of partners in all the sectors of our economy to provide comprehensive prevention, treatment, care and support services to the people of Ghana.
Given the above background, GAC wishes to state that we are unaware of the accusations levelled by Starr News and ghananewsonline. If this issue was brought to our attention, we would have linked the KG pupil to receive the appropriate care and support services from our partners. As the article by Starr FM stated, a major partner of the GAC i.e. the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection through its Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, has enrolled the Grandmother and the child on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) Program.
We know that one of the major expectations of a journalist is to seek clarification from relevant sources before publishing any article. It is therefore unfortunate that Starr FM did not make any effort to bring the issue to the attention of the GAC for a response before publishing. However, GAC has initiated investigation into the matter and shall furnish the public including the publishers of the news with the relevant details as necessary.
Enquiries related to this statement or any HIV issue may be directed to the Ghana AIDS Commission via “info@ghanaids.gov.gh “
“Ghana AIDS Commission: Working actively and in partnership towards the elimination of HIV and AIDS.”
