The people of Boana, a farming community in Nkoranza District have organised a forum to discuss the cause, effects and prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Mr Anthony Collins Addae and Mr Thomas Antwi, Local Community Based Organisation (CBO) HIV/AIDS Coordinators, initiated the programme to sensitise the people to be wary of the pandemic.

Mr Addae, a retired teacher, cautioned the youth against pre-marital and illicit sexual practices, saying the pandemic was real.

He advised couples to remain faithful to each other and never to have sexual relations outside marriage.

Mr Antwi called on the people to avoid quack doctors and not to allow to be injected with syringes, which had not been sterilised.

He advised family members not to shun HIV/AIDS patients, adding that, the disease could only be contracted through sex, blood transfusion and sharing razor or toothbrush with someone who has the virus.

In another development the people of Boana have realized 3.2 million cedis at a fund-raising ceremony in support of development projects.

The District Chief Executive, Mr Kwame Ampofo-Twumasi, commended the community for their "self help" spirit to enhance their living standards and said the Government would assist communities, which undertook self-help projects.

He called on other communities in the area to emulate the people of Boana to attract support from the Assembly for the accelerated development of the district.

Mr Ampofo-Twumasi said the Assembly would assist the Boana community to rehabilitate their street lighting system.

A former Assembly Member for the area, Mr Michael Obour, disclosed that the people were raising funds to construct four boreholes and to provide streetlights.

He said resident citizens were contributing 20,000 cedis a man and 10,000 cedis a woman while non-residents were also paying 30,000 cedis and 20,000 cedis respectively.