The Ashanti Region in Ghana accounts for about 4,000 of the 23,495 individuals who tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome during the first half of this year (January to June).
Dr. Thomas Agyako-Poku, the regional coordinator for HIV/AIDS, told Elisha Adarkwah of Class 91.3 FM in an interview that the regional rate is one-fifth of the national rate.
Dr. Agyarko stated that the Ashanti Region is one of the areas with the highest percentage of persons living with HIV/AIDS in the nation, adding, “We’ve been hanging around 3%.”
He said, not only have the Ashanti and the Greater Accra regions always led the rate when it comes to the national count of people living with the disease but also the Ashanti Region does not go beyond the fourth position.
He attributed the prevalence rate of the disease in the region to it being an economic centre of the country.
He said if the region could bring down its figure, it would go a long way to reduce the national figure.
Dr Agyarko, therefore, advised the public to protect themselves against the disease while urging those with it to take their medication to reduce its spread.