Moree (C/R), Feb. 18, GNA - More than 600 pupils drawn from first-cycle schools in Moree, a fishing town, in the Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK) District of the Central Region were on Friday sensitised on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The sensitisation programme, which was under the theme, "Your Child and HIV/AIDS, Show Concern" was organised by the National Commission on Children (GNCC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MOWAC).

Mr Divine Opare, Central Regional co-ordinator of the GNCC, in an address stated that HIV/AIDS is destroying at an alarming rate, children and the youth, who constitute the nation's future leadership.

He therefore, called on all to show concern, and evolve measures to halt the rapid spread of the menace, to save children, who are the most vulnerable, from being destroyed prematurely.

The Regional Co-ordinator stressed the need for the children to live long, and assume the mantle of leadership in future so as to contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the nation. Mr Opare advised the children not to allow anybody to deceive into early sex, stressing that they should abstain from it completely, to save themselves from contracting the deadly disease.

He also urged all parents to join the crusade in the fight against rape, defilement, female genital mutilation, trokosi and all other forms of child abuses, in order to help children grow into courageous, confident and responsible citizens. The Regional Co-ordinator underscored the importance of giving support and showing love and compassion to people living with HIV/AIDS, to enable them to live longer.

Mr Fred Hagan, AAK District Co-ordinating Director expressed concern about the rate at which the disease was spreading among the youth, particularly those in school, and urged the pupils to form virgin and HIV/AIDS clubs in their various schools to enable them learn more about the disease.

He was also unhappy with the way some parents have shirked their parental responsibilities, thereby compelling some pupils to go into early sex, as a means of earning their living, thus exposing them to HIV/AIDS infection.