General News of Sunday, 25 May 2003

Source: gna

Church told to reconsider position on condom use

Mr Baffour Wiredu, Chairman of the Kwabre Number One Community-Based Organisation (CBO), appealed to the Church to reconsider its position on condom use to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.

He said the perception held by some Christians that the campaign on condom use could encourage promiscuity must change.

Mr Wiredu was addressing a public forum to create awareness on HIV/AIDS among the people at Bamang in the Kwabre district.

The forum was organised by the CBO and attended by parents, teachers and school children in the town.

Mr Wiredu said: "much as we share the concerns of the church and appreciate the need to focus more on total abstinence, it is important we do not gloss over the safety and protection of people who are unable to control their sexual urge."

He said the fight against HIV/AIDS could be enhanced if people were encouraged to avoid unprotected sex.

Mr Wiredu said the CBO Chairman urged parents to break all cultural barriers that inhibited open discussion on sex with their children so as to help deepen the understanding of the youth about the dangers of pre-marital sex.

Mr Wiredu appealed to the public to support, encourage and show love for people living with HIV/AIDS.