Klikor, Aug 6, GNA - Togbe Addo VIII, Paramount Chief of the Klikor Traditional Area, has expressed worry at the community's apathy towards HIV/AIDS sensitization forums.
Speaking at poorly attended HIV/AIDS durbar at Klikor on Wednesday, he asked the people to be as interested in HIV/AIDS programmes, just as they would have responded to projects that would benefit them. The programme was organized by the Zendo Queen mothers Council, a group of Queenmothers from Klefe, Tsibu, Kpeve, Tsoxor and Klikor communities, which trace their common bond to one migratory group of Ewes from Nortsie in the Republic of Togo in the 16 century. Togbe Addo, who commissioned a building housing the Council's headquarters, exhorted the people to take issues concerning HIV/AIDS seriously in order to protect themselves and others from it. He said communities, which did not show interest in social functions risked being marginalized.
Mama Mamle III, Chairperson of the Council urged parents to learn about the disease to be able to guide the young ones. Mr Stanley Bansah, Ketu-South Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, said the district's AIDS prevalence had reduced to below three percent from about four percent.
However, that should not call for complacency because the threat posed by the disease remained potent, he warned. Mr Bansah said it was important that everybody took preventive measures prescribed against the disease. He commended the Queenmothers for seeking to help the people to protect themselves against the disease. Miss Agnes Lagah, a Senior Public Health Nurse at the Ketu-South District Hospital, urged participants to practice safe sex and remain faithful to their sexual partners. She asked them to go for HIV/AIDS counselling and voluntary testing and advise people against stigmatizing people living with the disease.
