Pastors to join the fight against HIV/AIDS

Twenty pastors are pooling resources to empower People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to contribute effectively to national development.

“As opinion leaders who engage people on daily basis, we can use the pulpit, conferences, inter-personal talk to change the perception people
have formed through misinformation about people with HIV/AIDS,” Reverend Fred Annin, President, International Network of Pastors (INP) said.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of the INP first conference, Rev. Annin said the network has devised strategies to foster stronger relationships among pastors aimed at fighting the stigma in society.

He encouraged the public to undergo voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and testing to know their status and also to educate the entire citizenry on the condition.

Rev. Annin said  HIV/AIDS was was not a curse but a medical condition, and asked pastors to use the pulpit to educate the congregation on it.

Rev. John Azumah, President of the Religious Leaders Living with HIV/AIDS, said the network aimed at reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS through education.

He also encouraged ministers of God to carefully educate their congregation on health issues, especially HIV/AIDS.