CBOS urged to promote voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS

Twifo Praso (C/R) Dec.27, GNA - Community-based organisations (CBOS) have been urged to promote voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS and counselling on the disease to help curb its spread.

The Reverend Ababio Danquah, Twifo-Heman-Lower Denkyira District HIV/AIDS focal person, who made the appeal on Twifo Praso on Wednesday, also said such measures would help reduce the current high prevalence rate of the disease in the country.

He was speaking at a forum on HIV/AIDS organised by Abstinence Pays Society, a CBO based in Twifo Praso to sensitise the public on the spread of HIV/AIDS under the theme "Fight against HIV/AIDS to ensure national growth".

Rev. Danquah, gave the assurance that people who would test HIV/AIDS positive, would not be marginalized, but would be counselled, while those found to be negative, would be encouraged to "stay out of danger".

He expressed concern about the poor attendance at the forum and urged the people in the area to patronise such educative programmes so that they could guard against contracting the disease.

At a similar forum organised by the New Generation, another CBO based at Twifo Mampong, Rev. Danquah advised parents against spending the resources lavishly on funerals, marriages and other social activities but to invest in their children's education.

Mr Ntim Kwakye of the district education office briefed the gathering about the genesis of HIV/AIDS and asked the youth to abstain from pre-marital sex and married couples to be faithful to their partners.