Ex President Rawlings off to Cairo

Former President Jerry Rawlings left Accra on Friday night for Cairo to participate in a Pan African Forum on the future of children.

It is being held under the auspices of UNESCO from May 28 to 31.

A release from the Office of the Former President said he would chair a planning session on "Leadership and Accountability". Also at the forum to make presentations will be the Former President of Mali, General Amadou Toure.

The release said Ex-President Rawlings would use the occasion to increase political support for the campaign against HIV/AIDS by stressing the role that national governments could play in handling the HIV/AIDS problem.

It said he would also advocate for preventive measures through information, education, communication and counseling.

"Ex-President Rawlings will make submissions on HIV/AIDS and child development as well as the need for voluntarism to protect children from conflicts including child soldiers, exploitation and abuse of children in such situations".

Dr Moses Adibo, his Special Assistant for Health accompanied him.