Mumford (C/R), May 22, GNA - The need for parents to set examples worth emulation by children has been emphasized by Mrs Augusta Akyaa Sarpong, Gomoa West District Director of Education. She said children see their parents as role models and would like to imitate their way of life and therefore those parents who did not live upright lives confused their children and at times led them astray. Mrs Sarpong made these remarks at a forum at Mumford on public education on HIV and AIDS and teenage pregnancy. The forum organized by the District Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person on HIV and AIDS was meant to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy which was very high in Mumford.

These "child mothers", the director of education said, were unable to meet the needs of their children and they grow to become a problem for the society. She appealed to parents to live up to their responsibilities to their children. Mrs Sarpong noted with concern that whilst parents did not find it necessary to know where and when their children slept, they found it necessary to know where their animals slept. She urged girls to take female teachers as friends and role models. Mr Sherif Musah, Deputy District Coordinating Director, said Asikuma-Odoben-Brakwa District was leading in HIV and AIDS prevalence in the Central Region followed by Gomoa West District.

He appealed to traditional rulers, and parents to help to reverse the trend by enforcing bye-laws enacted by the assembly to protect children from sex abuse especially during funerals and festivals. Mr Musah advised children against indulging in pre marital sex and also against taking alcoholic drinks.

Ms Sarah Sarkwah, District Public Nurse, advised the public to be careful with sexual relationships. She urged them to keep one permanent partner and must not engage in unprotected sex if the person is not a permanent partner. Mrs Sarkwah advised school children to abstain from sex until they marry. She advised the public to know their HIV status to enable them to know how to protect themselves. Mr Frank Amankrah, District Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person, urged school children to take their books as their friends and avoid sexual relationships. He debunked a popular belief among teenagers that virgins are timid saying that the period of youth is a time for preparation towards a responsible and fruitful adult live.