Techiman (B/A) Aug 5, GNA - The incidence of HIV/AIDS is on the ascendancy with the youth being the most affected in the Techiman Municipality despite the implementation of programmes to prevent the spread of the disease.

Notwithstanding efforts being made towards awareness creation on the disease, there had not been any significant behavioural change amongst the youth in the area. Mr Samuel Agyeman-Badu, Techiman Municipal Focal Person on HIV/AIDS made the observation at the launch of the Krobo Community Volunteers, a Community Based Organization (CBO), at Krobo near Techiman. The 20-member CBO aims at creating awareness and undertaking advocacy programmes to sensitise the youth on the causes, dangers and preventive measures of HIV/AIDS.

Mr Agyeman-Badu said: "The pandemic has claimed so many lives in the municipality, especially in the rural communities and if the current trend continues so many lives would be lost by 2005". He advised persons living with the disease to declare their status to non-governmental organisations working on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness creation for assistance. Mr Agyeman-Badu said the government and the Ghana AIDS Commission were making efforts to provide drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS so that they could live longer.

Mr Peter Takyi-Acheampong, Techiman Municipal HIV/AIDS Coordinator in-charge of the Holy Family Hospital, advised the people not to attribute the disease to superstition.

Mr Barimah Okrah, Chairman of the CBO, called on the people to support the organization to prevent the spread of the pandemic. He said a number of programmes, including public fora, seminars and drama had been drawn up to sensitise the people, especially school children about the HIV/AIDS.