Ashanti RPAC worries about lack of attitudinal change

Members of the Ashanti Regional Population Advisory Committee (RPAC) have identified lack of attitudinal change among the people as the major challenge impeding efforts at controlling the spread of the HIV/AIDS.

According to the Committee, about 97 percent of the country's population was aware of the existence and dangers of the disease, yet their inability to change their sexual attitude had led to its continued spread, especially among the youth.

This was the general view of members at their first meeting of the year held in Kumasi on Tuesday.

They expressed concern about the way the Ghana AIDS Fund was being disbursed to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and district assemblies, and called for a co-ordinated approach to ensure judicious use of the funds and also prevent duplication of activities by the NGOs.

The members called for total abstinence, especially among the youth as the surest way to prevent the spread of the disease and urged NGOs involve in AIDS campaigns to also promote the use of female condoms among women.

They identified maternal, child mortality and teenage pregnancy as other population issues facing the region.

They further called for early sex education in schools and provide leisure and recreational centres that would provide avenues for the youth to prevent them from falling prey to sex.

Mr Joe Dasanah, Deputy Ashanti Regional Co-ordinating Director, expressed the hope that the issues raised by members at the meeting would be studied and addressed to bring about quality life to the people.