Anti-AIDS Commission against mandatory AIDS testing

The Ghana AIDS Commission has ruled out mandatory HIV testing, saying "in most cases (it) highlights discrimination, creates fear and resistance, and is counter-productive to the aims of HIV/AIDS prevention and control".

It was reacting to the decision by some Churches in the country to make AIDS testing mandatory for their members as a pre-requisite for marriage.

The Commission said in a statement that the test should be performed with due consideration for ethical and legal implications as prescribed under the country's National HIV/AIDS and Sexually-Transmitted Diseases policy.

It said HIV testing should be subject to the client's consent and consideration should always be given to the implications of the test in personal and social relations, sexual life and medical status.

"It is essential that a client should be counselled and given sufficient health education on HIV/AIDS before any test is conducted," the Commission added.