| The title of this article is, incidentally, this year's World | | | | The line would run something like this: Mr. ***, my |
| Aids Day theme. This theme is designed to inspire | | | | Member of Parliament, took a HIV test last week. |
| citizens across the world to hold their political leaders | | | | This is two weeks after the president took such a |
| accountable for the promises they have made on | | | | test too. Therefore, it is equally important for me to |
| AIDS. | | | | know my status! . |
| Here in Africa, our leaders have helped set up so | | | | The destinies of our nations are greatly hinged on our |
| many Aids-related funds, NGOs (Non-Governmental | | | | leaders' decisions, attitudes, what they take seriously |
| Organisations) and institutions. For that, and myriad | | | | and whether or not they live up to what they |
| more, we laud them. But there is still so much that | | | | proclaim. This is proof enough that they should be |
| has to be done for our people and to our people. | | | | epitomes of moral perfection and integrity. |
| The HIV prevalence rates are growing grimmer by | | | | With so many people looking up to you, Sirs, you |
| the day. | | | | have so much to deal with on your plates that you |
| According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 39.5 | | | | can not possibly afford to be complacent and |
| million people living with HIV, including 2.3 million | | | | vacillate on matters of national interest. |
| children, and during 2006 some 4.3 million people | | | | HIV/AIDS is one such matter. Our leaders ought to |
| became newly infected with the virus. | | | | live up to what they promise the people they lead. |
| It is estimated that around half of all people who | | | | Accountability is of utmost importance in this respect. |
| become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 | | | | · We have been promised better health care: |
| and die of AIDS before they are 35. (The | | | | please make good your promise. |
| sixty-four-thousand dollar question: how many of our | | | | · We have been promised more campaigns |
| youth can boast of a HIV free status?) | | | | to sensitize people on HIV/AIDS prevention: please |
| If these statistics are anything to go by, then our | | | | deliver the goods. |
| leaders should devote more of their time, energy and | | | | · We have been promised more interactive |
| resources in addressing the Aids scourge and come | | | | approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention and education: |
| up with better ways of combating the spread of the | | | | please keep your promises. |
| disease. | | | | · We have been promised more aid to the |
| Our leaders should borrow a leaf from Senator | | | | needy and poor who are HIV positive: please, please, |
| Obama, if they must. The said US Senator took an | | | | please don't let us down. |
| HIV test in full public view when he visited Kenya | | | | · We have been promised anti-retroviral |
| sometime this year. | | | | drugs that will be given free of charge: please, just |
| If our leaders decide to take a similar a stand, it will | | | | know that millions of lives are hanging in the balance. |
| help accentuate (to the citizenry) the importance of | | | | As we go into World Aids Day tomorrow let us |
| knowing one's HIV status so that one can take | | | | endeavour to keep our promises and, as a result, |
| better charge of life. | | | | build accountability. |