In line with section 9(1a) and 9(2) of the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (ACT 938), the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council has inaugurated the Upper East Regional Committee of the Ghana AIDS Commission (ReCCOM). At the center of this gathering stood Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, his presence radiating a blend of solemn responsibility and steadfast optimism. As the appointed Chairman of the Committee, he addresses a crowd representing every facet of the region’s social fabric. His words, as he took the podium, would chart a new course in the region’s response to HIV and AIDS, one rooted in unity, compassion, and shared resolve. “Distinguished guests, members of the committee, and esteemed colleagues,” Mr. Akamugre began, “it is with a deep sense of purpose, responsibility, and optimism that I warmly welcome you to this significant gathering.” He paused, surveying the attentive faces before him. Today’s event, he reminded them, was not merely the formation of another bureaucratic body. Rather, it was the renewal of a collective pledge, a declaration that the fight against HIV and AIDS would be met with reinvigorated energy, ideas, and collaboration. “For years, Ghana has made commendable progress in the fight against AIDS,” he continued, “yet the Upper East Region, like many others, still faces stubborn challenges.” These included not only medical and logistical hurdles but deeply entrenched social and economic issues that touched every home, every sector, and every individual in the region. The task ahead, he emphasized, required more than just government directives; it called for a harmonized effort from every corner of society. Mr. Akamugre traced the foundation of this renewed fight to the Ghana AIDS Commission Act of 2016 (Act 938), which fortified the institutional framework for the national response and provided the legal backing for a coordinated, multi-level approach. This legislative backbone, he noted, gave the region both the mandate and the tools to strengthen partnerships, harmonize interventions, and ensure that no community was left behind. He looked around the room, his gaze resting on the newly appointed committee members. “The assessment and inauguration of this committee are crucial steps in deepening decentralization and ensuring that our regional response is strategic, inclusive, and sustainable,” he asserted. The committee’s work, he underscored, was central to the broader regional development agenda. The Minister’s tone grew more urgent as he addressed the true nature of HIV: “The AIDS pandemic is not merely a health issue, but a social and economic canker. HIV has no respect for profession, tribe, religion, or status. So, our fight must have no boundaries.” He called for the dismantling of silos and the forging of new alliances, between state actors, the private sector, traditional authorities, and religious leaders. Addressing these gatekeepers of culture and conscience directly, he urged them to use their influence to dispel myths, reshape harmful narratives, and encourage testing and treatment without fear or discrimination. To civil society, he extended a special acknowledgment: “You represent the voice of the vulnerable, serving as a bridge between policy and people. You are the engine of community action in this campaign.” Turning to the committee members, Mr. Akamugre reminded them of the weighty responsibility they had accepted. “Ours is a call to service. We are expected to coordinate efforts, drive public education, protect the vulnerable, challenge stigma, and ensure accountability to the very people we serve.” He challenged each member to approach their work with professionalism, integrity, and a sense of urgency. He expressed confidence that the diversity of backgrounds and experiences within the committee would enrich its work and bring innovative solutions to the region’s most pressing HIV-related challenges. As Chairman, he pledged his unwavering support, promising that the Regional Coordinating Council would provide the leadership, institutional support, and strategic coordination necessary for success. Collaboration, he insisted, would be at the heart of their efforts. The Council would work closely with the Technical Support Unit of the AIDS Commission, civil society organizations, and all relevant stakeholders to achieve the ambitious 95-95-95 global target: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on sustained antiretroviral therapy, 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression. The Regional Minister shared the sobering statistics from the 2024 National and Sub-National HIV Estimates. The Upper East Region, he reported, had 7,549 people living with HIV, including 345 new infections, representing a regional prevalence of 0.85%. However, only 49.4% of those affected were receiving antiretroviral therapy. “These numbers reveal a significant gap that we must urgently address if we are to reach our targets and end AIDS as a public health concern by 2030,” he said. While the prevalence rate was relatively low, he warned against complacency. Urban centers were experiencing a rise in new cases, and misinformation from self-styled vigilantes and traditional healers continued to undermine adherence to treatment. More daunting still was the persistent stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV. “This is one critical area where we must show strong leadership,” the Minister emphasized. He called for intensive behavior change communication programs, robust partnerships with the media, and community-level engagement to promote compassion, inclusion, and the dissemination of accurate information. He highlighted another critical pillar of the committee’s work: resource mobilization. The effectiveness of regional and sub-national interventions, he noted, depended on securing the funding and logistical support necessary to implement evidence-based programs. As his speech drew to a close, Mr. Akamugre further congratulated the committee members on their nomination and thanked the governing board of the Ghana AIDS Commission for their trust. “We accept this responsibility with profound humility and determination, fully aware that the fight against HIV is not for one institution alone, but a shared responsibility.” He then made the official declaration: “It is my singular honor and privilege to declare the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council Committee of HIV-AIDS duly inaugurated, here on the 10th day of November 2025.” The ceremony reached its emotional pinnacle as Circuit Court Judge Sumaila M. Ahmadu, representing the High
