Galamsey activities increasing HIV infections – AIDS Commission

The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has disclosed that illegal mining is a major factor in the increase of HIV/AIDS infections in the country.

The commission claims that illegal mining activities popularly known as galamsey have propelled a lot of indiscriminate sex activities, which in the long run increases the number of HIV/AIDS in the country.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark World AIDS day in Accra, Director-General of the GAC, Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene indicated that his outfit in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders in the mining sector has taken steps to address the canker.

A recent study that assessed the impact of national resource extraction projects on HIV transmission risks in local communities in sub-Saharan countries, including Ghana, reports that mine openings increase the odds of HIV infections almost two folds.

“It also found that new mine openings were associated with increased risky sexual behaviours such as multiple partners, high-risk sexual partners and unprotected sex with high-risk partners.”

He attributed the figures to complacency and ignorance, explaining that awareness creation on the part of health workers had decreased.

Of that number, he noted, over 245,000, representing 99 percent, were on treatment as of June this year.