Rev Lawrence Tetteh
The management of the University of Ghana has described the recent comment by Rev Lawrence Tetteh regarding alleged HIV infections among students at the University as insensitive and highly disappointing.
Rev Tetteh in an interview on GTV Breakfast Show on Thursday (24 October) said. “The number of young boys and girls in Legon, who are HIV positive, you will have the biggest shock of your life. This is sad, and I am happy I am saying this on national TV.”
“Some of these young girls and young boys already on campuses, are living promiscuous life and they have already contracted HIV/AIDS,” he said.
“There are people I have prayed for on campus and I am not talking about 10 years, 5 years, 2 years [ago] or infact in the past. This is present, I go to campus a lot, but it is sad. And if some of them tell you how they get into it, because what is happening is that, some of these girls go to the places and then when they come back, they also connect with the boys and girls there, so a lot of people think they are getting a [fresh] boy, a [fresh] girl but …,” he added.
Public discussions around HIV/AIDS must be grounded in verified facts, not speculation – UG to Lawrence Tetteh https://t.co/5TC7HhHEDn pic.twitter.com/gdLAzlaRiz
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) October 26, 2024
However, a statement issued by the University on Thursday (24 October) said public discussions around HIV/AIDS must be grounded in verified facts, not speculation.
”Management of the University of Ghana has noted with grave concern the recent public statements by Rev. Lawrence Tetteh regarding alleged HIV infections among students at the University.
”The University finds his remarks on GTV’s Breakfast Show on Thursday, October 24, 2024, insensitive and highly disappointing. His claims are totally unfounded and not supported by available data.It must be noted that: Public discussions around HIV/AIDS must be grounded in verified facts, not speculation.”
”HIV status cannot be determined through counselling or prayer; scientific methods remain the only means for diagnosing infections. Statements made without data-backed evidence mislead the public and risk amplifying fear, stigma and misinformation,” the statement said.
Below is the full statement:
