Embody HIV/AIDS in syllabuses - GES urged

Apam, June 22, GNA - The Gomoa District HIV/AIDS Focal Person, Mr. Eric Akobeng, has called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to embody HIV/AIDS in the syllabuses of primary and junior secondary schools. Mr. Akobeng said this would enable pupils to have knowledge about the pandemic while in school to enable them to protect themselves against the pandemic.

He made the call at a workshop at Apam to sensitise the disabled in the Gomoa West District on HIV/AIDS organised by the Concerned Group, a local Community Based Organisation (CBO) with the support of the Ghana AIDS Commission.

Mr. Akobeng who is the District Budget Analyst urged the GES and district assemblies to put up multi-purpose youth centres in communities where young people could access services on reproductive health, such as safe sex practices and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS programmes, which could make them vulnerable.

Mr. Akobeng presented pamphlets on HIV/AIDS to the disabled on behalf of Ghana AIDS Commission.

Mr. John Nyarko, Chairman of the CBO, educated the participants on the mode of infection, symptoms, prevention of new infections and dangers posed by stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with the disease.

Mr. Cephas Abakah Neizer, Secretary of the Gomoa District Association of the Disabled, commended the CBO for organising the workshop and appealed to the District Focal Person to encourage the disabled to form CBOs.