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Ghana passes law to fight discrimination against persons living with HIV

Xinhua, October 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

The parliament of Ghana on Tuesday passed the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) Bill to give legal backing to its establishment.

The bill, when assented to by President John Dramani Mahama, will empower the Commission to formulate policies on the HIV and AIDS epidemic, direct and coordinate activities in the fight against the disease.

The new law also establishes the National HIV and AIDS Fund to help prevent and control the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

According to the bill, a person who discriminates against a person infected with HIV/AIDS commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment of not less than 18 months and not more than three years or both.

Advocates believe this new law will help Ghana fight discrimination against persons living with HIV/AIDS and mobilize funding to meet the changing circumstances and expansion of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programs to attain the global target by 2030.

Ghana's HIV prevalence rate, which continues to decline, currently stands at 1.37. Enditem