Assembly votes 40 million cedis to assist HIV/AIDS Volunteers

Manso-Nkwanta (Ash), Jan. 4, GNA - The Amansie West District Assembly has voted 40 million cedis to assist HIV/AIDS volunteers in their house to house education on the disease.

Mr Ben Kwakye Adeefe, District Chief Executive, who announced this, noted that the disease was assuming dangerous proportion in the district and needed to be tackled with the support of all.

He was speaking at an HIV/AIDS durbar held at Manso-Atwere in the Amansie West District for chiefs, Assembly members, Community Based Organisation (CBOS) and Non-Government Organisation (NGOS).

The DCE said the government was spending a lot of money on the education of the people on the pandemic and it was therefore important that CBOS and NGOS that had been given money by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) to use the money for the intended purpose.

Mr Adeefe appealed to the people not to shun those living with the disease since it was dangerous to avoid them, saying; those with the disease rather needed the love and support of society.

Mr Stephen Buor Karikari, Member of Parliament (MP) for Amansie West noted that the disease was on the increase in the district and said that in 2002, a total of 362 cases were recorded at the Saint Martin's Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum.

He appealed to the people to avoid casual sex and remain faithful to their partners.

Mrs Felicia Dapaah, Ashanti Regional HIV/AIDS Focal Person in a message read on her behalf, commended the CBOs and NGOs in the district for their education campaigns in the district.