Asamankese (E/R), Nov. 14, GNA - "AIDS has no age barrier and therefore, affects everyone", Rev. Amos Jimmy Markin, Presiding Pastor of Asamankese North District of the Church of Pentecost, has said. Rev. Markin said there was the need for mankind to control his or her sexual habits, since "AIDS is real and does not respect age". He was addressing a three-day seminar on HIV/AIDS for 30 members of the Youth Ministry of the Church at Asamankese in the Eastern Region at the weekend.

The seminar was under the theme: "Save the youth from catching HIV/AIDS at Christmas, other occasions and social gatherings" and was sponsored by the West Akim District Assembly and the North District of the Church of Pentecost.

The seminar was aimed at sensitising the public, especially the youth to the dangers of the pandemic and to provide strategies and counselling.

Dr. (Elder) Philip Asante, assistant youth leader of the church, said the Pentecost Youth Ministry has about 600 members from the 21 assemblies within the Asamankese North District of the church and that they had formed a 'Youth Friendly Scout' to propagate HIV/AIDS issues in the area.

Dr. Asante said the campaign could save at least 150 lives of the youth in the West Akim District, from contracting the 'deadly disease' during the Christmas holidays. He said he was optimistic the exercise could help revolutionize the development of strategies in preventing the HIV pandemic. Dr. Asante said "Research has indicated that the majority of the youth get into relationships mostly around Christmas holidays, between November and January". 14 Nov. 06