Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD)
Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, Kofi Okyere Darko (KOD), has stated that recent reports of robbery incidents and the rise in HIV/AIDS cases should not discourage tourists from visiting Ghana during the December festivities.
Speaking in an interview with Nana Romeo on December 17, 2025, KOD noted that while the number of HIV/AIDS cases may be increasing, the situation is not unique to Ghana and should be addressed through intentional education rather than fear.
According to him, the Ghana AIDS Commission has struggled in recent years to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS to the public effectively.
“Numbers are rising all the time, but for some years now, Ghana AIDS Commission sometimes finds it difficult to promote whatever they’re doing for the world to know,” he said.
KOD explained that the recent conversation around HIV/AIDS coincided with World AIDS Day on December 1, which brought renewed attention to the issue.
“December 1st is World AIDS Day so it’s a coincidence because that’s when the information came out.
“Throughout the year, there are a lot of people who forget about it but in some areas, we should also be very intentional about it. We have to enhance sex education in school, especially in secondary schools,” he shared.
Comparing HIV/AIDS to COVID-19, KOD stated that the slow progression of HIV has caused some people to downplay its seriousness.
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“Unlike COVID-19 19 where people died from it, HIV doesn’t kill people instantly so some don’t really care. We have to educate the youth on the pros and cons of HIV/AIDS,” he stressed.
Touching on concerns about robbery, the fashion entrepreneur noted that crime exists in every country, and Ghana is no exception.
“Every country has armed robbers. Robbery happens everywhere, so no one can say that because of robbery in Ghana, they wouldn’t come here,” he stated.
He described reported robbery cases as isolated incidents that should not be used to paint the country as unsafe.
“These are isolated situations that can happen to anyone. One robbery act can’t determine that there are robbers everywhere. Anyone can walk freely in Ghana and nothing will happen,” KOD assured.
FG/EB
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