ANNEX H-3 AKYEM AMANIE (COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER) In the eighth edition of the Akyem Blood Transfusion and Other Infected Sharps: The injection or trans- Amanie newsletter, readers will fusion of contaminated blood or blood products, skin grafts or organ recall that we started featuring transplants taken from someone who is infected is a mode of HIV trans- this column of “Basic Hints on mission. It is worth noting that, the risk of HIV transfusion through in- HIV/AIDS with Miss Tony” aimed fected blood products exceeds that of any other risk exposure. It is at educating readers on HIV/AIDS therefore advisable to receive blood at recognized health facility with and how together we can help to appropriate equipment for screening to ensure blood safety. Used nee- reduce its spread. dles and syringes are sometimes soiled with minute amount of blood causing infected blood to be transferred directly into the blood stream. In this edition, we continue our Using instruments which have been used on someone with HIV for ear education on how HIV/AIDS is piercing, tattoos or circumcision and have not been properly sterilized transmitted and ways in which it is also pose a risk to us. not transmitted. Ways in Which HIV is not Transmitted; 1. Physically Close HIV is transmitted mainly through; • Living in the same room with an infected person. • Breathing the same air; coughs and sneezes 1. Sexual Intercourse: Most people get HIV by having unprotected • Working at the same place with an infected person sexual intercourse (having sex without a condom) with an infected per- • Playing together with an infected person son. • Oral Sex: Oral sex which consists of all sexual activities that in- • Touching volve the use of the mouth, tongue to stimulate genitals has been found • Shaking hands with an infected person to spread the virus since sperms containing HIV could get into the blood • Hugging an infected person stream of the recipient if there is a gum sore or ulcer. Oral sex is there- • Kissing on the cheeks, hands or forehead of an infected person Kwasi A. Boateng, Social Investment Manager, Akyem Project, fore not a safe practice. Presenting a cheque to one of the LRP beneficiaries • Anal Sex: Anal sex is the insertion of the penis into the rectum and • Sharing is either between two men or a man and a woman. This is one way • Toilet seats Akyem has been discussing an initiative in the s part of efforts aimed at enhancing the of animal husbandry and fish farming to mining industry to make farmers better off even through which the virus is spread. The risk of contracting the virus is • Towels very high due to the septic nature of the rectum and the vulnerability of A livelihood of people in the Akyem project participants. after taking the lump sum of their cash • Washing together in the same basin its tissues. Anal sex causes the skin to break leading to sores and ulcers area, Newmont has been carrying out sustainable Demonstrations farms have been set up to compensation. In this vein, a proposal on the which facilitate easy entry of the virus. • Swimming pools community development programmes which are facilitate training to enhance the adoption of livelihood restoration programme (LRP) was introduced but for the deferral of the project, this • Heterosexual Sex: It is a sexual behavior involving the insertion of • Eating and drinking utensils being implemented through Opportunities Industri- modern and efficient farming practices. The type programme might have been implemented on the erect penis into the vagina and is the commonest mode of transfer of • Communion cups alization Centers International (OICI). of demonstrations farms established within full scale by now. HIV/AIDS in Ghana. Heterosexual sex accounts for the highest percent- • Working tools communities in the Akyem project area include age of the modes of transfer due to the fact that, the virus is found in However, Akyem management also realized the Being bitten by: Food Security initiative is a component of the maize and plantain intercrop, maize and pared seminal and vaginal fluids. • need to show commitment to the project and Community Development Programme (CDP) plantain sucker intercrop, plantain split corm Masturbation: If a man inserts his finger into the vagina of a woman • Mosquito demonstrate confidence in the process, a pilot which is meant to improve agricultural activities of multiplication nursery, row planting of tomato who is HIV positive, he could acquire the virus if there is a broken skin or • Bed bugs phase of the programme is being implemented sore on the finger. And if a woman rubs the penis of an infected person people in communities who may be affected by and okro, pared versus non pared plantain sucker • Other insects with a few selected farmers who have already until he ejaculates, she could be infected if there is a broken skin or sore Newmont’s activities should the project take off. field, row planting of pared plantain etc. taken their crop compensation money. Any other animal on the finger. During the past one year, over 289 people have In all there are 13 demonstration farms plots with At a short but impressive ceremony to roll out So my dear reader, you now know the modes of HIV transmission and the programme, an amount of GH¢25,000.00 Mother to Child Transmission: A mother with HIV can pass the virus been trained in various agricultural improvement collaborating farmers. In addition demonstrations ways in which the virus is not transmitted. Please do not keep the mes- was presented to twenty seven (25) farmers to on to the baby during pregnancy, birth or through breast milk. The infec- sage to yourself but educate others as well so that together we can re- areas. The training covered areas in vegetable farms are being run by OICI on a plot near the tion usually occurs during actual birth. Antiretroviral drugs and special go into any of the four choices listed under the duce the menace of the disease. production, grasscutter rearing, snail farming, western side of the Newmont camp on medical treatment have been used successfully worldwide to prevent programme. Farmers and or their landlords small ruminant production, fish farming and crop grasscutter, sheep and goat rearing and vegetable have the option to continue to farm, channel the women from infecting their unborn children. In the next edition, Miss Tony will educate you on what AIDS is and the nursery. production. money into small scale business, animal difference between HIV and AIDS so don’t miss your copy. husbandry or to do save investment with their Here are some comments made by two money. The objectives of the programme are to demonstrate right spacing of the major food crops, beneficiaries in an interview with Akyem Amanie: The amount is an additional fund provided compare the farmers’ traditional way of planting Kwame Agyiri - Yaw Tano. “We have wasted under the Livelihood Restoration Programme to plantain suckers and the improved paring method, time and energy on our farm in the past since we the compensation money farmers have already Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force...When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Ideas were ignorant about improved farming methods. In demonstrate plantain paring and the benefits, received for the use of their lands by the com- actually begin to grow within us and come to life...When we listen to people there is an alternating current, and this recharges us so that applying the knowledge gained at these trainings, we never get tired of each other...and it is this little creative fountain inside us that begins to spring and cast up new thoughts and unex- demonstrate right application of fertilizer, pany for its operations. The money is meant it is evident that I will get more maize from my among other benefits to support these farmers pected laughter and wisdom. ...Well, it is when people really listen to us, with quiet fascinated attention, which the little fountain begins to demonstrate row planting and recommended plant small piece of land that I am farming on. work again, to accelerate in the most surprising way – Brenda Ueland to enable them to either continue with farming or spacing, introduce improved maize variety and enter into another business. also introduce and demonstrate modern methods Developed and Produced by the ESR Communication Unit, Akyem Project. Editor: Oduro-Kwarteng Marfo Another area that OICI have been busy with is the pilot Livelihood Newmont HIV/AIDS Steering Committee, acknowledged the importance of FROM Restoration Program (LRP) with a number of people choosing to go back the workplace HIV/AIDS programme and pledged management’s support for Robin’s Desk (ESR Gen. Manager) to farming and many others choosing to take the option of making secured My request is that, OICI training programmes should be the programme. investments. Finally, OICI have been busy with their many trainees regular since it has enlightened us on our farming activities and also helped In an address. Peer Educator Winifred Ofosu Sarkodee, stressed the need organising an Exhibition programme which is planned for November for the us in improving our livelihoods through the use of new technologies”. for people to fight the virus than stigmatizing people living with the disease. The year is marching past quickly and another Akyem Amanie is on the trainees to showcase their stories which should be a great opportunity for streets. A lot has happened over the last few months, some – such as the Mr. Evans Darko – New Abirem a fish farming training beneficiary and a us all to see the benefits that putting the training into practice can bring to As part of the programme, the Peer Educators were trained in Basic First Aid recent inauguration of the renovated school at Hweakwae and the new the quality of life for our communities.