Tapa-Abotoase (V/R), Sept. 1, GNA - Mr. Kwasi Owusu-Yeboa, Volta Regional Minister, has expressed concern about the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS cases in the region.

He said statistics showed that the prevalent rate of the disease in the region stands at 4.6 percent as against the national rate of 3.4 percent.

Mr. Owusu-Yeboa said this at the launch of a one-year HIV/AIDS campaign in the Tapa Traditional Area by Freedom International, an NGO at Tapa Abotoase in the Jasikan District last Sunday.

The campaign is a partnership between Freedom International, a non-profit and peace building organisation and opinion leaders in the Tapa-Abotoase Traditional Area in view of ravages of the disease in many communities in the country.

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said the fight against the menace is a struggle by mankind for survival. "No responsible member of a community can pretend to be unconcerned about the rapid spread of the killer virus".

He said the fast spread of the disease and its devastating effect makes it imperative for all and sundry to join in efforts to check the menace as it threatens to render the whole of mankind an endangered species. The Regional Minister said the partnership project against the spread of the disease in the area is therefore a timely life saving one and commended Freedom International, other collaborators for "their clear sense and practical expression of community service."

Mr Owusu-Yeboa said he hoped that with individual and collective concern about the menace the programme would extend beyond the ceremonial fun-fare and find expression in very practical efforts and measures that would help check the spread of the virus in the traditional area.

Mr. Frank Mackay Anim-Appiah, Executive Director of Freedom International, said the prevalent rate among the youth shows the urgent need to step up HIV/AIDS education among them in view of their high sex drive.

He commended the government for its support and commitment to prevent the spread of the disease.

Mr. Anim-Appiah said his organisation decided to launch the campaign because it is estimated that within the last five years about 40 people in the traditional area died of the disease. He appealed to the people to bring to the notice of Freedom International orphans of victims for registration.