AIDS expert asks the youth to control sexual urge

Ajumako (C/R) Aug. 15 GNA- The Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District HIV/AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person, Madam Abena Serwaa Opare has advised the youth to control their sexual feelings to avoid contracting the HIV/AIDS virus, which has the potential of wiping out an entire generation.

Madam Opare gave the advice when she addressed participants at a-day's work place HIV/AIDS Policy workshop organised by the District Assembly in collaboration with Affadu and Associate, a non-governmental organisation at Ajumako.

It was attended by departmental heads from the informal sector, the district HIV/AIDS response management team and members of the district AIDS Committee.

The programme which was aimed at ensuring a uniform and fair approach to effective prevention of HIV/AIDS among workers was sponsored by Ghana AIDS Commission.

Madam Opare said employees living with the HIV/AIDS had the same rights and obligations like other employees and should be protected against all forms of discrimination and stigmatisation. Madam Opare appealed to the participants to use the knowledge they have acquired to help sensitize their subordinates as well as people in their communities to help reduce the spread of the pandemic. Mr Samuel Affadu District Budget Analyst, who was the resource person, took the participants through topics like "Basic information on HIV/AIDS", "HIV causes, transmission and factors fuelling the epidemic", "stigmatisation and discrimination". He said information about people who underwent voluntary AIDS test should remain confidential.

Mr Affadu said the virus had no cure and therefore urged Ghanaians to be mindful of their sexual behaviour. He said people living with HIV/AIDS should use the antiretroviral drugs in accordance with the instructions given by medical officers to prolong their life span.