Civil Servants schooled on HIV/AIDS/Tuberculosis

Winneba (C/R), Sept. 3, GNA - More than 100 members of the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District branch of the Civil Servants Association of Ghana (CSAG), have attended a sensitization seminar on HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis at Winneba.

They were taken through causes, control and prevention of the diseases.

The participants were also thought correct usage and distribution of both male and female condoms.

Resource persons included Madam Becklyn Ulzen-Christian and Madam Felicia Osei, both of the Ghana AIDS Commission. The programme coincided with the quarterly appraisal meeting of the local branch of the Civil servants Association.

Opening the course, Mr Charles Ashalley-Djan, Deputy District Co-ordinating Director, said the seminar formed part of the Maiden Multi-sectorial HIV/AIDS Programme initiated by the Government to curb the spread of AIDS and Tuberculosis among workers in state organizations and establishments to promote productivity. Mr. Ashalley-Dajan announced that a District Task Force charged to create the required awareness among workers had already about 250 inmates and officers of the Winneba Central Prisons on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis.

He said the campaign also focused on ways and means of reducing the stigma people attached to those living with AIDS and Tuberculosis. Mr. Ashalley-Djan warned against the reduction or total withdrawal of donor support for the fight against AIDS because of the reduction in the prevalence rate from 3.6 percent to 2.7 percent.

Mr. Ashalley-Djan reminded the Government and donor agencies supporting the battle against the pandemic with financial and other resources that only 10 percent of the country's population and not the entire 18 or 20 million Ghanaians were infected.

He asked the Government to go back to the drawing board with donor organisations to reconsider their decision to either reduce or cut their support. He thanked the resource persons and local leaders of the Association for their co-operation and support. Madam Becklyn Ulzen-Christian and Madam Osei advised participants to share the knowledge and skills they had gained with their colleagues to ensure the speedy eradication of the two dangerous diseases from the country. 03 Sept 06