Don't hide ordeal - defiled, raped girls told

Winneba (C/R) March 17, GNA - Mr. Charles Aikins, an HIV/AIDS Activist on Thursday, urged victims of rape and defilement to report their ordeal to their parents or relatives for medical attention and to enable the law to deal with the offenders.

He said it was not true that when they reported their ordeal and the bad conduct of the men, they would die as claimed by most rapists. Mr. Aikins said this at the inauguration of the Assemblies of God Community Base Organization (CBO) Unisex Virgins of Faith Club at Winneba under the theme, "Abstinence the best solution for HIV/AIDS among the Youth".

Over 500 people attended it from some Youth Associations and students of the AME Zion Girls Secondary School in Winneba. Mr. Aikins advised girls not to enter the rooms of men who sent them to avoid being attacked and defiled or raped, adding that there some "indiscipline men use this tricks to defile innocents girls". According to him figures on the current HIV/AIDS indicated that the pandemic was increasing at very fast and urged Ghanaians to be careful about their sexual behaviour.

The President of the Club, Mr. Samuel Emprim said the formation of the group had become necessary due to the alarming rate people were contracting the disease.

He said members of the Club would organise peer education and talk shows to sensitise the youth on HIV/AIDS and to promote abstinence since it was the best way to avoid the disease.

Mrs. Josephine Danquah, an official of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Assembly told the gathering that HIV/AIDS was real and urged people to change their attitude.

The Secretary of the Club, Madam Martina Afetsrom advised the girls to be proud of their virginity and to hold on fast to their faith to overcome temptations.

Pastor Matthew Kittah, Winneba Head of the Central Assemblies of God Church inaugurated the Club and led the members to recite its anthem. He entreated them to be "Ambassadors of abstinence". 17 March 05