Youth cautioned against visits to pornographic web site

Kasoa, Dec. 1, GNA - Mr Frank Swanzy Essien, Ewutu/Effutu/Senya District Director of Education, on Wednesday cautioned the youth against visits to pornographic Website at Internet Caf=E9s because it would induce them into pre-marital sex.

If that happens, he said, the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS would be high, Adding: "If you are infected by the disease you ruin your future and parents' investment made in your education will come to naught". He was addressing pupils of the Saint Martha's School at Kpormeitey, near Kasoa to mark this years' HIV/AIDS Day organised by the African Youth Alliance (AYA). The School was selected as one of the intervention schools in the District.

Mr Essien said the disease had no cure that was why such programmes were being organised to prevent infection and to create the awareness that would encourage them to delay sex up to the end of their education. He said research had proved that abstinence had no adverse effect on health because the sperm that would have been wasted would rather nourish the brain.

Mr Essien urged the pupils not to allow themselves to be misled into pre-marital sex and since they would be the future leaders of the nation care should be taken so that their health and virginity was preserved.

Mr Essien who commended the school for its high standard in discipline said the District Education Office would be organising HIV/AIDS competitions with awards as its contribution towards the reduction and prevention of the disease.

Miss Bernice Ofori Akyeampogmaa, Ewutu/Effutu/Senya District Co-ordinator of AYA said statistics showed that the first 42 HIV/AIDS reported cases recorded in 1986 shot up to 64,120 by December 2002. She said it was estimated that by the year 2005 HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Ghana would be about 1,200,000, and urged all to co-operate in the elimination of the deadly disease.

Miss Ofori Akyeampogmaa said as valuable assets to the nation they must do everything possible to ensure that their health did not deteriorated through infection of the deadly disease.

Mr Charles Oboh-Donkor, Headteacher of the school, commended AYA for embarking on such educational programmes to enhance learning and awareness on the devastating effect of HIV/AIDS.

He said the AYA had effectively done that through weekly supply of Junior Graphic and visual aids on the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Highlight of the event was a performance on issues that induce the youth into pre-marital sex and its prevention.