Muslim Chiefs and Imam briefed on HIV/Aids.

Medie, (GA) Jan. 16, GNA - A two-day sensitisation workshop on HIV/Aids was organised for Muslims chiefs, Imams and opinion leaders at Medie in the Ga District on Saturday.

The programme organised by the Zongo Youth Foundation a Non-governmental Organisation was supported by Actionaid Ghana. The 47 participants that attended the workshop were drawn from Kotoku, Pobiman, Amasaman and Kramomang, all in the Ga District. Mr. Nash Abbey the Ga district co-ordinator of the National Youth Council and the district focal person on Aids/Aids expressed disappointment at the rate the disease was spreading in the district. He appealed to the chiefs and Imam in the area to make education on the disease form part of their sermons and counselling at worship and gatherings.

Mr. Abbey urged the participants, being leaders in the community to find means to minimise the practice of early marriage in the communities, adding that girl-child education must rather be encouraged.

Mr. Kwesi Ohemeng Agyei, Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Actionaid asked the participants to impart the knowledge acquired at the workshop to their relatives and friends in their respective areas.

He said the best measure that could curb the spread of the disease is to refrain from indiscriminate sex and partners should be faithful to each other.

Mr. Abdul Muhaimin Yakub, the executive director of Zongo Youth Foundation expressed appreciation to Actionaid for the assistance given to the Foundation to enable it to organise programmes on Aids/Aids. He said the Foundation would soon embark on programmes to promote girl-child education among Muslims and discourage early marriage.