The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) hosted a cocktail to honour and bid farewell to Ms. Angela Trenton-Mbonde, UNAIDS Country Director for Ghana as she goes on retirement. The event took place at Alisa Hotel, North Ridge-Accra.

Ms. Trenton-Mbonde was lauded by Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, Director General of GAC and staff. Mr. Atuahene said her dedication and contributions as Country Director for UNAIDS, Ghana over the past five years were remarkable. He said she put in a lot of effort in supporting the coordination of the national HIV and AIDS response and continued in her tenure by strengthening collaboration with GAC and other partners to advance HIV prevention efforts.

He mentioned that Ms. Trenton-Mbonde initiated the Global HIV Prevention Coalition in Ghana and brought together donors, civil society organizations and implementers to support the initiative. Currently the Prevention Coalition is supported by the Acceleration Team that Ms. Trenton-Mbonde led in collaboration with GAC. Dr. Atuahene said she has been instrumental in the generation of national HIV and AIDS estimates which are done yearly and her team has always provided hands-on experience as well as technical advice that have ensured data system strengthening and enhanced data capture and data use in health facilities across the country.

He also highlighted her role in championing the Education Plus Initiative in Ghana that seeks to ensure that adolescent girls and young women are empowered with HIV prevention education, using secondary education as strategic entry points to accelerate HIV prevention among adolescent girls.

Mr. Atuahene acknowledged her leadership, technical expertise, excellent management skills and interpersonal relations. He thanked her for her support and confidence in the country team throughout her tenure.

 He said the GAC would forever remember her commitment to the National HIV Response as she has constantly demonstrated to the admiration of many that it is possible to attain the global targets and reach epidemic control.

GAC Management presented a sculpture of a woman and her child as a symbol of appreciation for her role and outstanding work in facilitating HIV interventions in support of Ghana’s HIV and AIDS response.

Representatives of JUTA, PEPFAR, WHO, JSI Care Continuum, Ghana Health Service/NACP, Hope for Future Generations, the Country Coordinating Mechanism and many other organizations took turns to extend well wishes to the out-going UNAIDS Country Director.