The University of Education, Winneba has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to HIV awareness, prevention and stigma reduction as it commemorated World AIDS Day with a renewed call to action.
The campus-based sensitisation programme, held at the Jophus Anamuah-Mensah Conference Centre, was organised under the theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.” The initiative was spearheaded by the UEW HIV/AIDS Centre with support from the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG–UEW), UEW Hospital, the Counselling Centre, Radio Windy Bay and the Students’ Representative Council.
The event brought together university management, health professionals, municipal health and education authorities, students and partner institutions in a united front against HIV.
Delivering an address on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rebecca Atchoi Akpanglo-Nartey described World AIDS Day as more than a ceremony — calling it a moment of global solidarity and renewed determination. She emphasised that the University deliberately postponed the commemoration to ensure students were on campus, reinforcing that they remain at the heart of UEW’s mission.
She revealed that globally, approximately 38 million people are living with HIV, with about 1.3 million new infections recorded in 2024. In Ghana, an estimated 350,000 people are living with HIV, with young people — particularly women — disproportionately affected.
According to her, universities must serve not only as centres of academic excellence but as communities of care, advocacy and action. She encouraged students and staff to know their status, protect their health and extend compassion to persons living with HIV.
Registrar of UEW, Mrs. Ekua Abedi-Boafo, reaffirmed management’s dedication to fostering a safe and informed university community. She described the UEW HIV/AIDS Centre as a pillar of confidential counselling, testing and support services on campus.
Coordinator of the Centre, Dr. Bernard B. B. Bingab, noted that the gathering was meant to remember lives lost, re-educate the university community and recommit to a culture of zero discrimination. He challenged students to see themselves as present-day change makers in the HIV response.
Adding a municipal perspective, Effutu Municipal Health Director, Dr. Paulette Brown, disclosed that dozens of new HIV cases are recorded annually within the municipality. She stressed abstinence, faithfulness, consistent condom use and regular testing as essential preventive measures, assuring that HIV is now a manageable condition when detected early and treated appropriately.
Director of University Health Services, Dr. John Kanyiri Yamba, called for increased voluntary testing and stronger cross-sector collaboration.
Effutu Municipal Director of Education, Madam Dinah Anderson, underscored the power of education and stigma reduction in prevention efforts.
Meanwhile, local NUGS President, Mr. Bismark Owusu Acheampong, urged students to treat HIV education as a life-saving conversation rather than a taboo subject. Representing the UEW Cooperative Credit Union, Mr. Stephen Nkansah highlighted the strong connection between health, wellbeing and financial stability.
The commemoration ultimately reaffirmed the University of Education, Winneba’s resolve to lead by example — promoting awareness, reducing stigma and contributing meaningfully to national and global efforts toward an AIDS-free generation.
For UEW, the message was clear: overcoming disruption requires collective responsibility, informed action and unwavering compassion.
