You could be jailed for discriminating against a person living with HIV/AIDS

Discriminating against a person living with HIV or AIDS could land one in jail for up to three years.

This is contained in the Ghana AIDS Commission Act 2016, Act 938 which was passed by Parliament and assented by former President John Dramani Mahama on December 30, 2016.

The Act, among other things is aimed at preventing and controlling HIV and AIDS epidemic in Ghana, as well as protect the rights of persons living with the disease.

This means that employers, service providers and individuals can no longer deny persons living with HIV or AIDS access to vital services such as healthcare, education, goods and services as well as jobs.

In an instance where these rights are denied a person living with HIV or AIDS, Section 38 subsection 2 states that a public agency or non-governmental organisation may institute legal proceedings for or on behalf of a person living with or affected by HIV or AIDS for infringement of their rights.

According to Section 39 of the Act, anyone who denies a person living with HIV or AIDS his or her rights commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than 200 penalty units and not more than 500 penalty units or a term of imprisonment of not less than 18 months and not more than three years or to both the fine and imprisonment.

Source: Graphic.com.gh