HIV/AIDS sensitisation programme launched at Akim Oda

Akim Oda (E/R), Aug. 9, GNA- The Rev. Alice Kyei-Nti, Chairperson, West Akim Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, has regretted that despite numerous educational campaigns on the HIV/AIDS, there are "still some people who do not believe that the disease is real."

Speaking at a launch of HIV/AIDS sensitisation project by the Celestial Investments Human Development Association (CIHDA), an NGO at Akim Oda on Friday, she said if that perception continues the disease cannot be controlled.

She advised that people living with it should be given the necessary care and support so that they would not go underground to transmit to more people.

The Executive Director of CIHDA, Mr Yaw Asiedu Appiah appealed to parents to educate their children on the consequences of leading immoral lives.

He said the disease is now a development problem and urged people who cannot abstain from casual sex to use the condom. The Birim South District AIDs Co-ordinator, Ms Vida Mann announced that the Akim Oda Government Hospital recorded 404 AIDS cases from 1998 to 2002.

A 45-year-old woman living with HIV/AIDS testified at the function and appealed to people to take the HIV/AIDS messages seriously to avoid contracting the virus.