Youth urged to abstain from sex, rather than relying on condom

Akoefe (V/R), April 11, GNA - The youth have been urged to place premium on abstinence from sex rather than relying on condom as a means of protecting themselves against the dreadful HIV/AIDS.

Mr Cephas Ofori, Ho Municipal area focal person on HIV/AIDS, gave the advice when he addressed the opening session of a three-day workshop for 60 HIV/AIDS peer educators in the Ho Municipal area at Akoefe, near Ho on Monday.

As part of the workshop, the Environmental Sanitation Programme (ENVISAP), a Ho based non-governmental organisation, organisers of the programme, presented 30 HIV/AIDS orphans in the municipal area with 250,000 cedis each to cater for school uniforms, stationery and tuition fee.

Mr Ofori observed that economically active young people who constitute the country's anchor against HIV/AIDS, have ironically become the most indulgent in sex through the use of condoms.

He therefore urged the youth to avoid experimenting with sex and act on good counsel as far as sexual matters are concerned. Madam Joyce Dogbe, Executive Director of ENVISAP, urged the peer educators to encourage people in their communities to talk openly about HIV/AIDS and to seek innovative ways of rallying community action behind the campaign against the disease.

She urged them to emphasise on sexual abstinence among young people, faithfulness among adults, the prevention of mother to child infection, as well as care and support for those living with the disease.