saying 'misfortunes bring out the best in a person."
For Ghanaian actress cum singer, Joyce Dzidzor Nartey, the unfortunate
turn of events in her life marked the ultimate beginning of a new
dawn.
The 27 year-old mother of two battled growing up. Her humble
background challenged her and she pulled many strings to escape
poverty. She was determined to part with poverty. And she felt her
skill in dancing could expose her to the entertainment world and
possibly to stardom. The fund to pursue university education was not
there but she believed in her skills.
Although she became vulnerable, exposed to rape and many vices the
irony was that she ran to a church where salvation ought to beckon on
her but doom followed.
A church member who was expected to preach salvation to her played A
Patrick Sawyer to her. Just like the American Liberian who knew he was
infected by the Ebora virus but who, full of evil, deliberately
arrived Nigeria to spread it, the church member was infected by HIV
virus and he decided to spread among members of the church.
And so Ghana's Dzidzor Nartey contacted HIV in her church but today
she is a star in many ways and the virus in her has been contained to
the extent that she is living a normal life. She is HIV/AIDS Awareness
Ambassador who has travelled to many parts of the world to create
awareness on the virus and preach against stigmatisation. She is
married and a happy mother.
Joyce is also a backup singer and has backed top Ghanaian musicians in
her quest to make a profession.
Last year, she delved into movie production to intensify education and
to complement the government's effort to sensitize the public of the
dangers of the disease. It is also to strengthen education on
pre-marital sex and the dangers involved.
The movie titled, 'My Cross Roads' featured herself, and top Ghanaian
film stars like Ekow Smith Asante, John Dumelo and Vicky Zugah. She
also has a new movie in the market titled, "Jewel of the Waters"which
she is using to further propagate her campaign against the spread of
the HIV virus.
Interestingly, for the past seven years, Joyce has been living with
the disease and on anti-retroviral therapy. She tells her story on
DSTV's AfricaMagic channel.
Living with HIV virus
I have lived with HIV/AIDS virus for seven years now. I contacted the
disease in 2007. But I'm just a normal person. When people meet me and
tend to find out how I'm feeling, I always tell them I'm a normal
person.
As a matter of fact, I visited a school to educate the students. After
talking to them they were keen to test for HIV. I also joined the
queue and got tested but it was negative. It means one must stay with
one's medication forever. Regular medication can make it read that
way. It doesn't mean such a person is no longer a career.
How she contacted the disease
I contacted the disease in 2007, through a member of my church. I was
to spend a night with him in his house. When he removed his clothes, I
saw some kind of rashes all over his body. I was terrified, as I
innocently asked him why he was like that.
He covered up, saying it was a minor skin infection and that it was
nothing serious. But when he wanted to make love to me, I insisted
that he must used condom. He told me that he didn't like using
condom.
However, when I insisted, he agreed but he never used it. He removed
it while entering into me. We did it several times that night. After
few weeks, I became pregnant for him. When I told him, I was pregnant,
he advised me to abort the baby. But I refused, insisting on keeping
the baby.
He later warned me that if insisted, I would have myself to blame in
future. I never knew what he meant until I was diagnosed HIV positive.
He also infected other ladies in the church before he died.
Growing up
Growing up was in a very poor background. I discovered my love for
music and dance. I was very ambitious, passionate about my dance
skills. All efforts to get help to go to school failed. I was
vulnerable, most times raped. I had to attend all kinds of events in
my neighbourhood to exhibit my skills in dancing. In my case, there
was no one to confide in. I hawked all kinds of things to make ends
meet'.
Why she became HIV/AIDS Awareness advocate
I was driven by the need to help other carriers of the HIV/AIDS virus.
This is because most AIDS patients are brought to the hospital when
they are almost dead. Victims find it difficult to undergo medical
test to determine their HIV/AIDS status.
Vanguard
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