Speaking exclusively to the Upper East Regional regional focal person for HIV/Aids, Mr. Sulemana Majeed, he disclosed that the Bolgatanga municipality has been on the led with the highest prevalence rate for the past four years. He attributed this to low education and influx of people in the municipality. He added that the Bolgatanga municipality is fast growing into an urbanized society.
“Currently, Bolgatanga Municipal remains the district with the highest HIV Prevalence for over four years now.
Several factors may be associated with the trend, including low public education, influx of people as it is becoming highly Urbanized now”
He added that Bawku municipality use to record high prevalence but due the conflict most of the people have moved to the Bolgatanga municipality as well as a good number of miners who do their mining outside the municipality, but reside in the municipality.
Speaking at the 39th Farmers Day in Bolgatanga on Friday, December 8, 2023, the Upper East Regional minister lamented the increasing trend of Hiv/ Aids infections in the Bolgatanga municipality. About 7,361 persons are living with Hiv/ Aids in the region, with most of these persons falling within the workforce class of the region.
“Available statistics indicate that 7,361 persons are living with HIV/AIDS in the region, majority of whom are within the workforce class.
Whilst the regional prevalence rate is 0.87 below the national rate of 1.66; that of Bolgatanga Municipal is at 1.74 way above the national rate. This is a worrying trend”
Stephen Yakubu also lamented of other worrying development which are alcoholism and drug abuse. These development, he noted are associated with motor accidents, especially during festive seasons. “Let us all be mindful and conduct ourselves responsibly to the benefit of our families, communities and country. We want everybody alive and in good health to propel the development of the region”.
Speaking to some residents on the streets of Bolgatanga, some residents were so alarmed by the recent increase in trend owing to the increasing numbers of commercial sex workers in the municipality. The postulated that the assembly needs to collaborate with the security agencies to crack down on the activities of sex workers.
Source: mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Ayuureneeya