Gomoa Nduem (C/R), Sept 25, GNA - An anti-AIDS campaign official has appealed to the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (GHAFTRAM) to come out with herbal preparations that could control HIV/AIDS. Mr. Eric Akobeng, Gomoa West Evaluation and Monitoring Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, said if traditional medicine practitioners succeed in producing preparations that could make people with the virus live longer, they would save the government from spending huge sums of money in procuring antiretroviral drugs. Mr. Akobeng said this at an HIV/AIDS workshop that was organized by Managing Developmental Foundation, a Cape Coast based non-governmental organization.

He herbalists should submit their herbal preparations to relevant authorities for testing before rushing to announce their efficacy. The participants expressed concern about some profane programmes on some radio stations such as "Wo ba ada anaa?" and "Anadwo ye de" and appealed to the government to proscribe them. They also called for a ban on importation of pornographic films and beach programmes at night during festivities must not be encouraged. 25 Sept 08