A stigma Index Study conducted in 2014 in Ghana to provides comprehensive data on the extent of HIV-related stigma and discrimination among Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) revealed that PLHIV respondents avoided all forms of social exclusion and other forms of discrimination through non-disclosure of HIV status to individuals and groups outside the health care delivery system.

However, a greater proportion of the PLHIV respondents who were members of the PLHIV network/ support groups experienced discrimination from their peers than those who were not members.

This shows that PLHIV still face some form of discrimination and stigmatization due to their status. Based on these findings, there was the need to develop a National HIV and AIDS Anti- Stigma Strategy to guide implementation of HIV – related Anti- Stigma efforts. The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) with some key stakeholders commenced the development of this strategy as inputs made by key stakeholders were consolidated by a consultant into a draft strategy which was reviewed and finalized by the National HIV and AIDS Anti-Stigma Technical working group.

The strategy developed is to;

• Strengthen evidence-based advocacy for policy change and programmatic interventions.
• Lobby pro-actively for all social forums to identify and address stigma and discrimination explicitly.
• Advocate for the elimination of all forms of HIV- related stigma and discrimination in public forums including the media.
• Address the roles of public and private sectors, development partners, Faith based Organisations and Civil Society Organisations in eliminating HIV- related stigma and discrimination.
• Advocate for PLHIV and key population’s to take active role in eliminating stigma and discrimination.

The strategy is also to developed and help achieve the global target of ending AIDS by 2030, of which a short- term target has been set to be achieved by 2020. This is known as the 90- 90- 90 treatment targets. This simply means that by 2020, 90% of all PLHIV will know their status, 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy as 90%  of all those receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.  These targets were adopted by Sub-Saharan African countries at the 25^th African Union summit of which Ghana is included.

Mr. Victor Brobbey, the lead consultant for the strategy stated that the HIV status of an individual should not be a barrier to accessing basic services like education and health care. This he said is enshrined in the GAC Act.

He further mentioned that, a PLHIV is allowed to file a suit against co-workers or employers among other individuals who discriminate against them in one way or the other. However, their issues are made public when they go to court due to the public nature of the court.

According to Mr. Brobbey, there are Human Right Courts to enforce laws that protect PLHIVs. Meanwhile, he charged CSOs to advocate for justice for PLHIVs whose rights are curtailed since those violations could be subjected to criminal offences.

PROCEDURE TO REPORT VIOLATION OF PLHIV RIGHT.

Due to the legalities involved in filing of cases among other things, Mr. Brobbey reiterated that evidence of violations of PLHIV rights should be provided to help take appropriate actions. He added that, CSOs with lawyers in their organizations could also act on behalf of victims of discrimination and stigmatization to file cases. However, those without lawyers can report cases to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for the process.

CHALLENGES IN ELIMINATING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION.

• Weak systems to enforce laws.
• Ignorance of HIV related policies.
• Some PLHIV stigmatizing themselves.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

• CSOs must indulge in intensive advocacy to educate individuals about anti- stigma and discrimination policies.
• Capacity building for CSOs to provide appropriate information to public t0 dispel myths about HIV.
• Youth living with HIV should be involved in programmes concerning PLHIV.

In his concluding remarks, GAC Technical Services Director; Dr. Fred Opoku, urged CSOs and other stakeholders to provide report of programmes related to the implementation of the strategy to reduce HIV and eliminate stigma and discrimination to enhance the monitoring and evaluation process of the commission.

Mavis Aryee

Member, CYIB-Curious Minds

Student; Ghana Institute of Journalism