Gomoa AIDS Committee holds appraisal meeting

Apam, Nov 6, GNA - The Gomoa District AIDS Committee has held an appraisal meeting to assess performances of community-based organisations (CBOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) fighting to curb the spread of the disease in the area and their impact on reducing the infection rate.

Nine CBOs and five NGOs have received financial support from Ghana AIDS Commission to campaign against the spread of the disease in the district.

Mr. Eric Akobeng, the District Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, called on traditional rulers to abolish some traditions that promote immorality. He said, in some communities a person above the age of 21 who has no child is taunted as being barren. ''To avoid disgrace such a person has to indulge in indiscriminate sex with the hope of meeting someone who could give him or her a child.''

He commended Ghana AIDS Commission for doing a good job so far, but appealed to the Commission to channel funds for NGOs through the district assembly to ensure harmonisation and effective monitoring and evaluation.

Mr Akobeng urged people living with the disease not to feel unwanted but rather come out to form an association to enable them to fight for their right.