Tema, Aug. 10, GNA - Dr. Bortier Ed Nignpense, Principal Medical Officer at the Ghana Health Service, on Saturday stated that the campaign on the use of condom rather encourages immoral behaviour among the youth and called for abstinence. According to him condom is best for couples who or are already infested with the HIV and want to have sexual fun. "There is nothing made by man that is 100 percent perfect" as condom could fail in the course of sexual action, he declared, and called on churches to preach against its usage.

Dr. Nignpense was speaking at a day's seminar on HIV-AIDS organised for youth groups from the various churches in Tema by "Tema Youth for Christ," an NGO. He said abstinence from sex before marriage calls for commitment, determination, perseverance and the will of God reiterating the call on those in courtship to have HIV test before marriage to know their status. The Medical Officer debunked the notion that total cleansing of the private part with water clears the virus after sex saying that once everything has entered there was no prevention and rather advised on waiting for the appropriate time to marry. He advised against the sharing of items like razor, tooth brushes and others with other people as that contributes to the transmission of the virus if one is infested.

Dr. Nignpense warned against stigmatization and entreated the public to give hope to people living with AIDS as some may not have contracted the diseases through immoral behaviour.

Mr. Abraham Sanni Thomas, Chairman of the Board of Youth for Christ, said realizing that the youth did not show interest in HIV/AIDS education, his NGO adopted the practice of organising entertainment and camps for them so that in their excitement, they would slot in the education which was achieving the desired results. 10 Aug. 08