Accra, Dec. 15, GNA - A photo exhibition caravan on HIV/AIDS to create awareness on the pandemic in some selected public places opened in Accra on Thursday with a call on Ghanaians not to shun People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) but embrace them with love, care and support. The photo exhibition caravan, which formed part of this year's World AIDS Day activities, is aimed at demonstrating the effects of HIV/AIDS on the lives of people and to help to reduce the infection rates especially among the vulnerable groups.

Opening the exhibition at the Tema Station, Mr Ibrahim C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister, in a speech read for him, said despite all the numerous campaigns and education about the existence of the menace and the need for people to change their behaviour towards indiscriminate and unprotected sex, the prevalence rate of infection had still not reduced to appreciable levels. "We must tell people about the disease so that they will know how to live their lives and abstain from the kinds of activities that bring this incurable disease on us."

The theme for this year's World AIDS Day was: "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise." The exhibition would also be held at the Rawlings Park from December 19 to December 20, Agbogbloshie from December 21 to December 22 and the Abossey Okai Central Mosque on the 23 December to sensitise market women, drivers, truck pushers, "kayayee" and the general public. Mr Quaye said: "Let us give hope and share love with people, who are already infected and support them to use the rest of their lives to serve God. "Let us comfort them and provide for them their needs for this is the time they need us most."

Ms Atawa Akyea, Greater Accra Regional Director of the National Council of Women Development (NCWD), said though every one was at risk, women and the youth were the most affected and urged the public not to engage in indiscriminate sex without protecting themselves. She also encouraged the public to take the bold step to check and know their status to enable them to plan a better life to live longer.