Regional News of Saturday, 13 August 2005

Source: GNA

Drivers asked to get actively involved in HIV/AIDS

Bekwai (Ash), Aug. 13, GNA- Mr Henry Mensah, Amansie East District Coordinator of the National Service Secretariat, has urged drivers to actively participate in HIV/AIDS programmes to prevent the spread of the disease. He observed that by the nature of their work, drivers came into contact daily with many people and had the unique opportunity of educating the public on the dangers of HIV/AIDS. Mr Mensah, who was speaking during the district's celebration of the National Service Week at Bekwai on Friday, therefore, requested the various transport associations in the country to collaborate with organisations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS to educate the people about the effects of the disease on national development. He cautioned drivers against sexual promiscuity, saying since some of them travelled long distances and spend nights outside their homes they stood a high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS if they did not abstain from indiscriminate sex. Speaking on the topic, "The Role of National Service Personnel in the Fight Against the HIV/AIDS Menace", Mr Ben Owusu, national service personnel, said it was the responsibility of the personnel to fight HIV/AIDS, especially in the communities in which they worked, by interacting with the people regularly to educate them on the dangers of the pandemic.