Akwadum (E/R), Jan. 27, GNA- Over 800 pupils in the New Juaben Municipality, on Wednesday, signed a sexual abstinence agreement to help reduce HIV/AIDS infection amongst the youth. The pupils who are peer educators of 4-H, a youth development non-governmental organisation, signed the agreement at Akwadum, near Koforidua, as a strategy to make the right choices to promote their reproductive health.
The Executive Director of 4-H, Mr Kwaku Boateng said the agreement was part of an intervention strategy by the Ghana AIDS Response Fund to help curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.
He noted that the one-year project coupled with the use of drama had deepened the knowledge of the signatories to the causes of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.
The Regional Focal Person on AIDS, Ms Golda Asante who represented the Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, expressed regret that inspite of the numerous education and sensitisation of the public on the pandemic, people’s attitude towards sex had not changed. “While some continued to have unprotected sex, others have multiple sexual partners.”
Ms Asante urged parents to openly discuss sex and other related issues with their children to free them from bad influence. The Health Coordinator of the Ghana Education Service, Mrs Charlotte Ofori who chaired the function, asked the children to stick to their books and stay away from all social vices that could derail the pursuit of their future careers.
She asked them not to see the signing of the document as a mere formality but to adhere to the admonishing of stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic. 27 Jan. 05
Source: GhanaWeb
