Accra, March 17, GNA - Professor Sekyi Awuku Amoa, Director-General of the Ghana Aids Commission, has said that commercial prostitution should be legalised in the interest of the nation.

He said in view of the dimensions the HIV/AIDS was taking it was better to register prostitutes not only for the sake of identifying those affected with the disease but be able to ascertain the work to be done and to deliver treatment effectively.

Prof Amoa was speaking to the Ghana News Agency after he had signed an agreement with the Maritime and Dockworkers Union (MDWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) under, which the Commission would assist the Union with 50 million cedis to undertake HIV/AIDS education. The Commission believes that the Union is vulnerable in view of the fact that it handles all types of people ranging from traders, haulers and commuters, to mention few, some of whom are carriers of the disease, he said.

Prof Amoa said it was dangerous when commercial prostitutes were allowed to operate secretly, adding that, "it is an old age profession and since it is an avenue for employment they will never depart from it," he stated.

Prof Amoa said, ''As long as prostitutes have clients, from management point of view, we have to target them and give them health service'', adding that, "it is ridiculous to arrest and prosecute women on the basis of possessing condom".

He said, the arrest and prosecution of prostitutes using condom as evidence negated the campaign for use of condoms.

Prof Amoa said the increase in the rate of infection in eight areas including, Eikwe in the Western Region, Cape Coast in the Central Region, Kumasi in Ashanti, Ashiaman in the Greater Accra, Begro/Fanteakwa in the Eastern Region, Agomenya also in the Eastern Region and Tema in the Greater Accra was dangerous for the country.