The HIV/AIDS epidemic has become a global crisis. According to 2004 Global report on HIV/AIDS, the number of persons living with HIV/AIDS has risen in every region of the world. The impact of HIV/AIDS has repercussions on business, labour, and the national economy. As the epidemic continues to spread, it has become evident that HIV/AIDS is a developmental problem which is threatening to reverse a generation of achievements in human development. It is in this wise that GSMF has started the Lifeshield programme targeting employees and employers of the formal workplace with HIV/AIDS activities that aims at giving knowledge to reduce infection among employees of these organisations and also make it easy and comfortable to work and live with colleagues living with HIV/AIDS.

HOW LIFESHIELD IS STRATEGISED

Advocacy sessions are held with the management to sensitize them about the Lifeshield programme and solicit their commitment as well as increase level of ownership to the programme.

Information, Entertainment and Communication (IE&C) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) materials provide information on HIV/AIDS/STIs on a daily basis and also help to maintain top-of-mind awareness of HIV/AIDS/STIs to promote positive sexual lifestyles at the workplaces. Many of these materials on HIV/AIDS have been developed, printed and distributed to consistently remind staff of the need to adopt healthy sexual lifestyles.

To build capacity in organisations, peer educators were selected across all levels of management in each organisation based on selection criteria, trained, and equipped with toolkits. The peer educators embark on one-on-one education, group discussions and distribute educational materials on HIV/AIDS to staff to promote positive sexual lifestyles.

As a form of educational entertainment, GSMF collaborates with the Information Service Department of the Ministry on Communications to show various films on HIV/AIDS/STIs to the surrounding communities of the targeted audience. This keeps dependants and spouses of the employees informed on HIV/AIDS. Other edutainment activities include quiz competitions and fun games with HIV/AIDS at the focal point.

Confidential Voluntary Counselling and Testing (CVCT), a major part of GSMF International’s HIV/AIDS communication and behaviour change interventions is organised as it is seen as the first step to care and support and also considered a major step in prevention and adoption of positive sexual behaviours.

A steering committee made up of representatives from both GSMF and the implementing organisation is formed to review the entire program on a quarterly basis. This strengthens the ownership of the program by management.

ACHIEVEMENTS Graphic Communications Group Limited currently inserts periodic HIV/AIDS messages in the Daily Graphic as part of their contribution towards the fight against HIV/AIDS in the workplace and in Ghana as a whole. Anecdotal information shows that about 90% of Ghana’s populace are reached periodically with HIV/AIDS thought provoking messages through this means. Most Companies have adopted the policy of putting behaviour change messages on pay slips to promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles.

Successful advocacy led to one of the companies under the Lifeshield program, Ghana Textiles Printing (GTP), recruiting a dedicated member of staff fully responsible for the company’s HIV/AIDS workplace programme. Other companies have also demonstrated their commitment and support by willingly motivating peer educators with incentives aside money.

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