Rev. Lawrence Tetteh Apologizes to UG

Founder of Worldwide Miracle Outreach, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, has apologized publicly to the University of Ghana after the pastor said on GTV's Breakfast Show on October 24, 2024, that many students of UG are HIV-positive, heaping the blame on the supposedly promiscuous lifestyles of the youth on campus.

In the interview, he stated that "The number of young boys and girls in Legon who are HIV positive will shock you." Many considered the statement stigmatizing and detrimental. UG replied that discussions of HIV/AIDS had to be evidence-based, as miscommunication would promote fear and stigma. The university reminded all that HIV status could only be determined scientifically and advised against making uninformed public statements.

In a follow-up statement released on October 29, Rev. Dr. Tetteh expressed his regret thus: "I never intended to damage the reputation of UG nor stigmatize or misinform about HIV/AIDS." He said that his aim was to highlight the general moral problems affecting society's youth, not particularly to malign students at UG.

Rev. Dr. Tetteh said this was based on what he had gone through, since many youth come to him for counselling, where they tell him their problems. He assured that, as a counsellor, whatever comes to his desk is confidential, and he never expected the effect of his statement. He, therefore, apologized to the university community and the public for the distress caused.

Below is the letter: