Religious beliefs cited for impeding HIV fight

Mr Emmanuel Kwadwo Kpreka, a Public Health Nurse at the Berekum West District Directorate of Health says faith and beliefs are impeding efforts to stem the spread of HIV and AIDS in the district.

He said many people living with HIV and AIDS had refused to be put on drugs because they believed HIV and AIDS was linked to spirituality.

Mr Kpreka called for the intervention of religious organisations towards tackling the myths and to help stem the spread of the disease in the district.

The Public Health Nurse raised the concern when speaking at a durbar to mark the Berekum West District celebration of the 41st National Farmers Day held at Koraso on the theme: “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana and secure the future”.

Mr Kpreka indicated that the District Directorate of Health conducted an HIV and AIDS screening exercise of 2,193 people between January and October 2025, saying, that 60 new infections, comprising 50 females and 10 males were recorded.

However, he added that attempts to put all the clients on the anti-retroviral therapy was unsuccessful, saying only 36 of them were placed on drugs.

Mr Kpreka said: “Those who refused to be put on drugs linked their infections to spirituality,” indicating that the district HIV and AIDS population stood at 557 with a prevalence rate of 1.5 percent.

Mr Collins Asomah, the Berekum West District Chief Executive, said the government prioritised agriculture and was doing everything possible to make the sector more attractive to the youth.

He commended the farmers for their hard work and dedication and assured the Assembly commitment to support them through the implementation of the “Feed Ghana” initiative to enhance their economic activities.

Mr Dickson Kyere-Duah, the Member of Parliament for Berekum West, lauded farmers for their selfless services towards feeding the nation and pledged to support the farmers to tackle pertinent challenges impeding their economic activities.

Earlier, Mr. Frederick Kwasi Danso, the Berekum West District Director of Agriculture, said vegetable production was common in the district, saying the farmers required irrigation and storage facilities to improve production.

Some deserving farmers were later recognised and given prizes ranging from bicycles, key bar soaps, spray machines, among others.

Source: GNA

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