workshop on “HIV/AIDS and the world of work”: Welcome address by Mr.Yaw Barimah the hon. minister for manpower development and employment

Abstract

Welcome address by the Hon. Minister for Manpower Development and Employment Mr. Yaw Barimah (MP) at the workshop on “HIV/AIDS and the world of work”. Mr. Barimah, on his remarks highlighted that, The HIV/AIDS epidemic is now a global crisis and constitutes one of the most formidable challenges to development gains; undermining economies, threatening security and destabilizing societies. AIDS is widely regarded as a cause for shame, fear, stigmatization and denial. Most people conceal their HIV/AIDS status because of fear of rejection by friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers. HIV/AIDS affects the work of government in terms of revenue, expenditure, service provision and the ability to govern. The greatest enemies of the battle against HIV/AIDS are ignorance, fear and discrimination. We want to fight the virus not the people living with it. We therefore need all hands on deck to fight this menace.