Kumasi, Nov. 22, GNA 96 Ignacious Gaisah and Eric Nkansah, two renowned Ghanaian athletes have joined in the campaign against the HIV/AIDS pandemic and have decided to embark on a nationwide tour to promote awareness of the disease.
The tour, an initiative of Authentic Sports Network, a sports development consultancy firm, among other things aims at impressing upon the youth to shun promiscuous sexual behaviour to help in curbing the spread of the pandemic.
Briefing the GNA sports in Kumasi on Wednesday, Mr Listowel Yesu Bukarson, Chief Executive Officer of the firm, said the decision of the two athletes to join in the anti-HIV/AIDS campaign was necessitated by the dangers the disease posed to the socio-economic development of the nation and the future of the youth.
Mr Bukarson said the involvement of the two athletes would therefore afford them the opportunity to embark on outreach programmes, workshops and seminars to inform the people, especially the youth the realities of the pandemic in an effort for especially the youth to avoid leading unguided lifestyles.
Gaisah, who is the world number two best long jumper, told the GNA Sports that their resolve to join the battle against the disease was a step in the right direction since the future of the youth were at stake because of the dangers the HIV/AIDS pandemic posed to its victims. He said as future leaders and the backbone of the nation's economy, it behoves on the youth not to perceive the pandemic as a gimmick but endeavour to appreciate its devastating effect and always exercise maximum care. Gaisah expressed the hope that the tour which would commence next month in the Ashanti Region would achieve its intended purpose. 22 Nov. 06
