Naomi Abena Obeng, winner of 2018 Ghana’s Most Beautiful reality pageant on Friday launched the Obaa Nao Foundation to help reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
Abena, The Eastern Region representative of the culturally defined beauty pageant who couldn’t hold back her tears after watching a campaign documentary of the difficulties people’s face adhering to HIV/AIDS in Ghana.
At the launch of her project, the Obaa Nao Foundation which literally translates as lady Naomi, she said she was not only focused on reducing HIV/AIDS but very passionate about improving other areas related to HIV health.
In line with broader goals of alleviating these challenges, she noted that the foundation’s objective will include creating awareness about HIV and providing proper access services in the rural communities. The project would be in two (2) phases; “Are you aware” and Gyewo 1″.
The beauty queen said it is unfortunate people still die from complications of HIV/AIDS and that such cases are higher in rural areas and poor communities. She said the situation can be attributed to poverty, inadequate resources to handle complicated cases, overcrowding, and a host of other factors.
According to her, winning the competition is a life turning moment that will allow her to share her humanitarian work in deprived communities.
In Ghana, about two per cent of the population is said to be living with HIV while many of the 98 per cent living without the disease is said to be unaware of their status. This is leading to an increase in new HIV infections with the country recording 19,101 new infections in 2017.
Miss Abena appealed to Ghanaians to prioritise the fight HIV AIDS mortality while calling for assistance in financial aid to help the foundation achieve its set objectives.
She appealed to stakeholders from public health, academia, governmental as well as well-meaning Ghanaians to come on board to reduce the number of people dying due to complications in HIV.
Miss Abena was supported by her fellow finalists, Dr.Manfred Takyi CEO of Joy Industries, chiefs and traditional youth leaders from her home region as well as other beauty queens who were present in solidarity.
Source: Dan Kwasi Prince // www.dailyviewgh.com / Ghana
Writer’s email dailyviewgh@gmail.com
