In Ghana he trained to be an agricultural scientist, and in Romania he studied veterinary medicine. In the Netherlands he decided to start another course in social work. Kwabena Adanse-Pipim has lived in the Netherlands since 1986. He works in a forensic hospital as a social therapist.
In addition to his employment, he is the unpaid director of AFAPAC. This organisation focuses on combatting AIDS and educating people about AIDS in the African community in Amsterdam. Some eleven volunteers are working to combat HIV and AIDS, provide counselling and support to sub-Sahara Africans residing in the Netherlands, mostly to sick people who are illegal aliens.
The fight against AIDS begins with reaching groups of people, says Adanse. This method is applied in Ghana as well. He has already been deployed by IOM to Ghana six times to combat AIDS.
Although Ghana has a very well organised health care system, communication between health institutions and communities is limited. Adanse tries to improve that communication. 'I try to get in touch with the leaders of sub-districts. It is essential that they start cooperating with health institutions.’
Only after the parties have been mobilised, does the real work get started. How do we get health organisations to communicate better? How do we teach people different behaviour? Adanse acknowledges that it is a long-term project. 'I have visited almost all sub-districts by now; I have spoken to chiefs and opinion leaders. Next, we will train nurses, who will then bring their knowledge to the communities.'
Adanse sees that there is a lot of progress, especially the increasing involvement with the problems. 'People are more open-minded. Even though AIDS and HIV are still taboo subjects, it is getting easier to discuss them. ' He is happy about the enthusiasm of the Ghanaian people. 'My role is to promote cooperation between health care professionals and the community, and it is going well. I can tell that they are becoming more independent.'
