Lordina Mahama leads health screening in Sunyani, advocates community action against HIV

First Lady, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, traveled to Sunyani on Thursday to organize a community health screening exercise in partnership with the Ghana AIDS Commission. This marked the second collaborative effort of its kind, following the initial exercise in Accra.

In an address preceding the screening exercise, Mrs Mahama urged traditional and religious leaders to capitalize on their revered positions to foster healthy, responsible behavior within their communities.

The First Lady reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, stressing that this objective is attainable through collective action.

“Parents must engage in open and honest conversations with their children about health and sexuality,” she noted, urging teachers to also guide students with care, wisdom, and accurate information to help eliminate the stigma surrounding HIV.

Currently, over 334,000 Ghanaians are living with HIV, and the Bono Region remains one of the most affected areas. This, she said, is a serious concern, and called for education, prevention, and early testing to turn the tide against infections.

According to the First Lady, who is also the President of the Lordina Foundation, health is the foundation upon which development is built. She stated that without good health, productivity suffers and affects the building of vibrant communities.

Mrs Mahama highlighted the importance of health screening programmes.

“I love bringing health services closer to people because when we invest in health, we invest in our collective future”, she said.

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Budu II, Dormaahene and President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, expressed concern over the rising HIV cases in the Bono Region in recent years, particularly affecting people aged 25 to 40.

He stated that the screening programme is a crucial health campaign rather than a political exercise, encouraging all attendees to take advantage of testing and educational resources.

Sister Diana, who has been living with HIV since 1989, shared her experience battling stigma due to limited awareness. She emphasised that with proper care and monitoring, people living with HIV can lead healthy lives.

“My children’s support gave me strength,” she said, “and motivated me to educate others as an ambassador for HIV awareness.”