Kenyasi Number Two (B/A), Dec 2, GNA - Mr Ignatius Barfour-Awuah, the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, has appealed to traditional authorities to release land for the youth in agriculture. He said this at the regional celebration of the Regional Farmers' Day and World AIDS Day at Kenyasi Number Two in the Asutifi District. The occasion also coincided with the regional launch of the anti bush fire prevention campaign.

Mr Barfour-Awuah said the youth employment programme, especially its agricultural component, targeted the youth to be on the land to utilise the opportunity government was putting in place to ensure that mechanise farming was promoted.

Mr Barfour-Awuah thanked traditional rulers of Branam and Ayerede in the Wenchi and Nkransah districts respectively for releasing land in their communities for the production of maize and Cashew. He expressed optimism that such production and its process would lead to establishment of local industries and provide employment for the youth.

Touching on HIV/AIDS, he said farmers needed to be protected from the menace to avoid decline in agricultural production. Mr Barfour-Awuah, stated that every one has a role to play in the ensuring that appropriate policies and programmes are implemented to deal with the menace and its effect.

Dr Mohammed Bin Ibrahim, the Regional Director of Health Services, said the region recorded 1,799 HIV/AIDS cases from January to September and this showed a decrease.

He said 216 People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are currently receiving anti-retroviral drugs at the regional hospital.

The Techiman Holy Family Hospital and Goasu Government Hospital had just taken the delivery of 1CD4 count machine each to enable the two hospitals to start providing retroviral drugs to affected people. Twenty-two farmers including four women were given spraying machines, radio set, Wallington boots, wax prints and bicycles. Mr Peter Gyan of Jaman South District was adjudged the Regional Best Farmer and received a cornmeal machine, Wellington boots, a bicycle, a sawing machine and wax prints.