The Parliamentary Centre in Ghana

Breaking the HIV/AIDS Chain in Ghana: the Role of Parliament

The Ghana Parliamentary Committee Support Project II organizes another Legislative Series on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with Ghana Aids Commission & CIDA AIDS Projects

The Parliamentary Centre’s monthly Legislative Series which is designed to provide Members of Parliament the opportunity to interact with experts on topical development issues of both national and international importance helps facilitate exchange of ideas and identify actions that may be required from them as Legislators.

Objectives:

The theme for the legislative series was -Breaking the HIV/AIDS Chain in Ghana: the Role of Parliament- Specific objectives were:

• Informing participants on the policy, practice and problems of combating HIV/AIDS in Ghana;
• Providing a platform for sharing ideas on breaking HIV/AIDS in Ghana and the sub-region, and developing networks between MPs and relevant CSOs;
• Identifying actions and entry points for Parliamentary contribution in the process.

The event attracted more than 30 participants (both Members of Parliament and staff from the Parliamentary Service).

Expected Results

• Increased capacity of the Members of Parliament and the committees to participate effectively in national government decision making concerning the issue of HIV/AIDS.
• Improve MPs’ knowledge on the relationship between the disease and national development, hence committees’ contribution in economic policy, resource allocation and poverty reduction.

Improved Knowledge

Quotation from one participant “This has helped me cover new ground in my understanding of sexuality and its impact on society, I have gained new and important knowledge; the forum has been a unique introduction to the dynamics of HIV/AIDS, the extent that the work of male sex workers link to HIV/AIDS and the plight of the children of sex workers”

Media report following the event :

There was a front page headline on the Legislative Series by The Daily Graphic of 28 March, 2006 which led to intense debate of the issue in most media houses during their breakfast shows. The graphic report can be found at: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=101684

Participants at the GPCSPII monthly legislative series on HIV/AID		MPs reviewing background materials for the legislative series
The resource persons. From left to right: Prof. Awuku Amoa ( Director General, Ghana AIDS Commission), Ms. Marilyn Aniwa (In-country coordinator GPCSPII), Ms. Gabriella Kyerekoh (West African AIDS Project to Combat AIDS and STIs (WAPCAS).		A cross section of parliamentary staff at the legislative series
Ms. Gabriella Kyerekoh from making her presentation at the legislative series