GNCC commences HIV/AIDS education in schools in Ashanti

New Edubiase (Ash), Sept 1, GNA- The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC) has started HIV/AIDS education in schools to help check the spread of the disease among children in the region.

Over 2,000 school children within the Kumasi Metropolis and Ejisu-Juaben District have benefited from the education. Mr Peter F.K. Eduful, the Regional Co-ordinator of GNCC, announced this at the regional celebration of the National Children's Day at New Edubiase in the Adansi South District on Tuesday. The celebration had the theme: "HIV/AIDS And Your Child, Show Concern".

Mr Eduful said the education focused on causes and prevention of the disease with emphasis on abstinence.

The Regional Co-ordinator observed that the health sector had made many gains through immunisation especially against the six childhood killer diseases.

"HIV/AIDS is threatening the future of our children. We should therefore inform every child about the dangers the disease poses to their lives", Mr Eduful stressed.

Mr D.A.K. Yeboah, the District Chief Executive, said the theme for the Day was more appropriate in view of the fact that most parents seemed to have forsaken their children.

"Some parents seem to care little about the fact that sound health depends on the concern parents have for the moral and spiritual life of their families", he said.

He noted that not until parents and communities became conscious of their role to curb the disturbing lifestyles of the youth, no meaningful gains could be made in the campaign against the spread of the pandemic.

In a statement presented on behalf of the children by Master Sylvester Owusu of the New Edubiase School "A", the children expressed gratitude to the government for considering their welfare, especially in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

They appealed to their parents and all adults to help ensure peaceful elections in December.

Mr Paul Dame-Badu, the District Co-ordinating Director, in a welcoming address, said the proper upbringing of the child was not the responsibility of the teacher and parents alone but the entire society.