"I didn't want to bring shame on my family": being gay in Ghana
aidspan, December 2014 - Deeply moving video.
"I didn't want to bring shame on my family": being gay in Ghana from Aidspan Aidspan on Vimeo.
The eight-minute video documentary is the story of a young HIV positive gay man in the Ghanaian capital, Accra,whose journey through the public health system -- which is largely supported by international donors led by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and malaria -- reflects the challenges inherent in reaching those who are most vulnerable to infection by the disease. The film underscores the impact of stigma, discrimination and ignorance on the health system's ability to effectively manage HIV.
The story is told from the perspective of Joe "Hillary" Afful, a dynamic and engaged leader in Ghana's gay community. A peer educator and counselor trained in programs that have received Global Fund support, Hillary shares his experiences in the public health system and provides a window into the hurdles that young men face in trying to access services in a supportive and non-judgmental way. Hillary wants his story to help encourage other men who have sex with men to not be afraid, to know their status and to take the appropriate measures to seek the right kind of medical attention.
The film was shot with the consent of all the participants, including representatives of Ghana's National AIDS Control Program and the country coordinating mechanism responsible for oversight of Global Fund activities in Ghana.