Ghana has faced a significant HIV/AIDS epidemic since the first reported case in 1986, with a prevalence rate of 3.1% among the population. Awareness campaigns such as 'Stop Aids Love Life' have increased knowledge and safer sex behaviors, contributing to a rise in condom use among both men and women. Efforts to support vulnerable children and improve education about HIV/AIDS continue, with organizations working to reduce stigma and provide care for affected individuals.

1. Ghana’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaigns: Education and Awareness At All Ages Africa and Communication Jamie Randall, Christina Shull, Brenda Stice, Martin Wojnar

2. Presentation Overview Introduction & Statistics Light for Children Young & Wise Stop AIDS Love Life Conclusion & Work Cited

3. Ghana

4. Ghana is a country located on the Gulf of Guinea, only a few degrees north of the Equator. John Kufour president since 2001. Gained Independence in 1957 from UK

5. Ghana’s HIV/AIDS Epidemic

6. Overview • (1986) The first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in Ghana. • Ghana’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is 3.1%, compared to 7.5% in sub-Saharan Africa and 1.1% globally. • In 2003, an estimated 30,000 Ghanaians died of HIV/AIDS. • HIV is spread primarily through heterosexual sex in Ghana.

7. “AIDS is a problem now, not just out there in Africa, it is here in our cities and in our villages… right on this camp, there is AIDS here. Plenty of people are getting this disease… 200 people everyday in Ghana!” - Jeremiah Burgess “ By the start of 2000 an estimated 3.6% of the population – 340,000 adults and children – were living with HIV, more than 33,000 had died of AIDS or a related illness in 1999 alone and 170,000 children had lost their mother or both parents to the emerging epidemic (MEASURE/ Ghana AIDS cases in the country is unknown and unknowable, and the vast majority of those infected do not know that they are’ (Antwi & Oppong, 2003: 2).” -Caroline Faria

8. Women as percent of Ghanaian adults estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, 2003 was 56% 2.1-3.9% of Ghanaian young women, ages 15-24, are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS (2001) People between the ages of 25-34 are the hardest hit, accounting for over 40% of AIDS cases reported in Ghana during (2002)

9. Needs for Help and Change (2003) The estimated number of AIDS orphans in Ghana was 170,000! Number of people estimated to be receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), June 2005 was 2,500 – 3,000 !

10. Thousands and thousands you've killed, Spoiled the beauty of our continent curse no meaning to life Yet you are no sacrifice. AIDS do you have Mercy? AIDS, oh AIDS, You are a deadly monster, you've taken our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, homes left full of grace, why? Just because of Mr. Slim. Others call me Mr. Kill me quick, Scientists have gone to the moon, made nuclear weapons, yet you are no sacrifice. AIDS, do you have mercy? Dear brothers and sisters, Friends and relatives, Sons and daughters And my loving parents, Lend me your ears And get this message right, With your broken heart I am asking you, Please take care of the youth, Stop bad habits, be faithful to each other. This monster never sleeps, there is no cure For AIDS, oh AIDS, do you have mercy? Boniface Kinywa Boniface Kinywa is a 12-year-old AIDS orphan

11. Numbers crunch HIV/AIDS in Ghana Population, 2007 23,000,000 People living with HIV/AIDS, 2005 320,000 Women (aged 15+) with HIV/AIDS, 2005 180,000 Children with HIV/AIDS, 2005 25,000 Adult HIV prevalence (%), 2005 2.3 New HIV infections, 2005 nd AIDS deaths, 2005 29,000 nd = No data Source: Population Reference Bureau & UNAIDS

12. It is believed that only an estimated 40% of all HIV positive cases are reported to the authorities increasing the ambiguity with regards to the real situation of HIV/AIDS in Ghana. But there is hope…..

13. Light for Children 2005-Present

14. Mission Statement To contribute to the effective promotion of a healthy development for vulnerable children in the Ashanti region. To raise local and global awareness of the lives of vulnerable children in the Ashanti region. To engage a global community of young people with the lives of vulnerable children, empowering a sense of understanding and hope. “ Light for Children strongly believe that Education is the engine that drives much of economic development, so becoming educated if probably the most significant means for personal success.”

15. Issues Addressed 50% of children from Primary do not reach Junior Secondary School in Ghana. The average illiteracy level in the region is 40.4% with it reaching 64.7% in poorer areas.

16. Facts Established in 2005 Non-governmental Child-centered Specific to HIV-Positive

17. Care and Support Area: Kumasi Provides: Anti-Retroviral Treatment, supplements, extra food, support for educational needs Goals: Reduce impact and remove stigma of HIV/AIDS Objectives for children: appropriate nutrition and proper healthcare, regular ART therapy, proper education, and family integration Beneficiaries: 35 known HIV-Positive children orphaned by AIDS in the Kumasi area NGO 2008: fund for the care of 10 children

18. Kumasi

19. Educational Outreach Education about HIV/AIDS and other STIs Goals: Reinforce and supplement information already provided about HIV/AIDS Encourage adaptation of best practices for reducing the risk of STI transmission and teenage pregnancy Emphasis: Abstinence, faithfulness, and correct/consistent condom use Presentations: Interactive to encourage positive choices Poems, stories, or other pieces of artwork by pupils to illustrate an understanding of the key issues surrounding HIV/AIDS

20. Voluntary Counseling and Testing Target: People 17+ Focus: Knowledge of HIV status to reduce transmission; interest in seeking professional advice Incentive programs: For those that seek voluntary testing, LIFOC provides services for those that test positive.

21. Ghana Summer School Three month program Ages 8-16 Over 150 children who wouldn’t normally be able to afford fees for traditional summer school in the region are able to attend Staffed by international volunteers Core subjects: English, math, science, and sport

22. Volunteering Teaching experience not required Host family and home stay provided Generally separate room accommodations Placements within 10-20 miles of communication, transportation, and medical facilities Program Fees: One month = 349 GBP Two months = 449 GBP Three months = 549 GBP

23. Young & Wise 1999-2006 Sponsored by Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG)

24. Purpose and Strategies Purpose: To provide quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to young adults (ages 10-24) Strategies Increase knowledge of young adults on SRH issues Increase access of youth to quality SRH services Increase involvement of youth in planning, implementation, and evaluation of SRH programs Increase demand for and use of SRH services Young & Wise Youth Centers

25. Multimedia Campaigns Youth Led Campaigns Posters Shirts Blog

26. Multimedia Campaigns Partnership Campaigns Music Videos Partnered with the Inspirational Youth Choir

27. Young & Wise Center Youth Health Clinic Youth Counseling Center Audio Reference Library Computer Reference Center & Internet Café Mini Mart

28. Global Bureaucracy Mexico City Policy/Global Gag Rule: Effects: A loss of US$200,000 in funding has forced a major family planning organization to significantly reduce its rural outreach activities. Approximately 1,700 community-based agents have been denied the support needed to provide important family planning services to rural areas. Three clinics serving peri-urban and rural communities lost funding in 2003. While these clinics remain open, the nursing staff has been reduced by more than 40 percent, severely limiting the number of clients served. Restrictions imposed by the gag rule have terminated key partnerships and abruptly interrupted an innovative adolescent reproductive health program. The gag rule has dramatically limited the vital coordination of HIV/AIDS with family planning and reproductive health services.

29. “ Stop AIDS Love Life” Campaign November 1999-2003 Implemented by John Hopkins University/ Population Community Services Partnered with: Ghana Social Mobilization Foundation (GSMF) Ghana Ministry of Health Ghana Ministry of Communication USAID Ghana Television (GTV) Training Research and Networking for Development (TREND) Christian Council AFRO-MEDIA Group Africa Lintas Advertising Agency Wisdom Association

30. Goal of the Campaign To increase awareness about HIV/AIDS, to increase the adoption of safer sex behavior, to de-stigmatize HIV/AIDS, and to encourage compassion, care, and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. Specific Goals: Sustain knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS in Ghana Promote and model HIV/AIDS prevention behaviors Increase adoption of safer sex behaviors Decrease the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS

31. Communication Tools Advocacy Mass media: a music video, print media, television and radio spots Community mobilization: school activities, women’s groups, community rallies

32. Print Media: Journey of Hope Manual

33. Music Video HIV/AIDS campaign music video featuring top Ghanaian musicians Features: Tic Tac, Friction, Black Prophet, Cil Peswa, Shasha Marley, Felix Owusu, Cy-Lover, The Shepherds, Reggie Rockstone, Original Ros Horby, Stella Dugan, Diana Akiwumi, and Gyedu Blay Ambulley Stop AIDS Love Life Music Video

34. Television Production of testimony spots with HIV+ Ghanaians telling their stories Public service announcements featuring slogan: “If it’s not on, it’s not in” TV show: Things We Do For Love

35. Impact The campaign was successful in reaching a majority of the population and responsible for increase use of HIV protective behaviors. 83% of males, 77% of females recalled hearing or seeing the campaign slogan or logo 37% of men, 26% of females reported high exposure to the campaign Condom use in men increased from 13% to 24% Condom use in women increased from 4% to 12%

36. Percentage of total population in 2003

37. Works Cited http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/global?page=cr09-gh-00 http://www.unaids.org/en/CountryResponses/Countries/ghana.asp http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2572733.stm Faria, Caroline. &quot;Privileging Prevention, Gendering Responsibility: an Analysis of the Ghanaian Campaign Against HIV/AIDS.&quot; Social & Cultural Geography 9 (2008): 41-73. Academic Search Complete . Ebsco. 27 Feb. 2008. http://www.globalgagrule.org/ http://www.ppag-gh.org/ http://ghanayouth.blogspot.com/ http://www.ippf.org/en/Resources/Statements/Matilda+Owusu-Ansahs+testimony.htm http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/7355.pdf http://www.standwithafrica.org/hiv_aids/childspoem.asp www.jhuccp.org/africa/ghana/stopaids.shtml &quot;Stop AIDS Love Life in Ghana &quot;Shatters the Silence&quot;&quot; Communication Impact! 15 (2003). 5 Mar. 2008 <http://www.jhuccp.org/pubs/ci/15/15.pdf>. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghana