Update

Ghana pledges its support to ending the AIDS epidemic

27 August 2014

The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, pledged the support of the government to ending the AIDS epidemic not only in Ghana but in Africa as a whole during a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 22 August.

Mr Sidibé praised Ghana for the exemplary leadership it has given to the AIDS response in the region and urged President Mahama to press for meeting the 90–90–90 target of 90% of people tested, 90% of people living with HIV on treatment and 90% of people on treatment with suppressed viral loads. Mr Sidibé noted that the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting would offer a good opportunity to establish a consensus around ending the AIDS epidemic. The Ebola outbreak in the region was also discussed by President Mahama and Mr Sidibé and the President outlined the steps being taken to respond to the disease in the country.

During his two-day visit to the country, on 22 and 23 August, Mr Sidibé also met with staff of the Ghana AIDS Commission and attended a screening of Love or Something Like That, a new film on HIV by Ghanaian film director Shirley Frimpong-Manso.

Quotes

"This is an area where I will continue to play an advocacy role, and we will strive to meet the 90–90–90 target."

John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana

"The goal is that by 2015 no baby in Ghana will be born with HIV."

Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director