Unprotected sex among youth causes an alarming rise in HIV cases in E/R- AIDS Commission
Unprotected sexual activities are the lead cause of the HIV virus in the Eastern Region.
Joana Somiah 
The Ghana AIDS Commission in the Eastern Region has attributed frequent unprotected sex among youth, to the alarming rate of HIV cases in the region.
According to the commission, an estimated new cases of 2,128 have been recorded in the region.
Currently, People living with HIV in the Eastern Region of Ghana are 478,166, but surprisingly, only 30,538 are accessing the antiretroviral drugs.
The Acting Eastern Regional Technical Unit, Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ebenezer Appiah Agyekum Abrokwah bemoaned that this significant number of people tested positive but refused to access the anti-retroviral drugs for management of the virus possess a great threat to fight against the virus.
This he says is dangerous and could lead to further spread as such people may be having unprotected sexual activities with other people.
Ebenezer Appiah Agyekum Abrokwah revealed this troubling situation during the inauguration of the Upper Manya Krobo District HIV/AIDS Advocacy Committee at Asesewa.
The nine-member committee is chaired by the District Chief Executive, Joe Sam.
The nine-member committee is chaired by the District Chief Executive, Joe Sam with Shirley Tiah, and the District HIV Focal Person as the secretary. Other members of the committee are Emmanuel Nuetey Siakwa, Abraham Martey, Abass Jubilila, and Lansah Asumah. The rest are Theophilus Agbodjadh, Rev. Devine Nartey and Mrs. Grace Adza – Awude
The committee is expected to provide advocacy for HIV and AIDS prevention and control and facilitate coordination among stakeholders.
As of December 31, 2020, people living with HIV in the Upper Manya Krobo district were two thousand and eighty- (2081) with 87 new infections.
The acting Eastern Regional Technical Unit Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Ebenezer Appiah Agyekum Abrokwah urged the committee to leverage all available resources and mediums to engage local information centres to help disseminate information on HIV and AIDS regularly to educate the populace on the disease.
He opined the committee should ensure that Alert Clubs in schools are revamped and advocacy meetings with the local council of churches and traditional authorities are intensified.
He also tasked the committee to follow up on persons who test positive for HIV and encourage them to take the anti-retroviral drugs.
The Chairman of the Committee, Joe Sam who is also the DCE for the area said the formation of the committee is timely and critical following the insurgence of HIV amidst an increase in sexual activities among the youth.
William Ofori Akwaboa, Eastern Regional Correspondent
