According to the Ghanaian AIDS Commission (GAC), Ghana has an HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of nearly 4 percent. However this relatively low rate (compared to other African countries) does not correlate to changes in behavior. In other words: there are many approaches to health education but many fail in their efforts to change behavior leading to the continual spread of HIV/AIDS.
The Sankofa Center incorporates dance, drama, music, and photography performed by the troupe and interns into the pre-choreographed HIV/AIDS dance-drama vignettes. Interns will also be trained to educate classrooms of youths and adults about HIV/AIDS, risk reduction, and anti-stigmatization during both school and village outreach tours. If desired, appropriate interns will be trained for public health internship duties as well.
Dance-dramas provide a great way to open up dialogue about HIV/AIDS, portraying issues such as safer-sex practices, ways of transmitting HIV/AIDS, tolerance of persons living with HIV/AIDS, enhancement of women’s role in sexual health, and exposing the social and economic factors involved in daily Ghanaian life. Performances take place primarily in pre-designated village squares and community gathering places. Junior and senior secondary schools also host performances and an after-school program to encourage student participation.
Volunteers also conduct educational seminars (“HIV/AIDS 101″) discussing proper condom use, the importance of HIV testing, and involve students in open discussions about HIV/AIDS. There is no language requirement for volunteers since local Sankofa Center staff will translate information accordingly.
Accurate health information is important. However, access to health services is key to creating lasting behavior change, which is a challenge for the predominately poor, rural, communities we serve. Visit our online store to purchase items made by our HIV Cooperative to benefit our clients continued access health services to empower healthy living.
