Regional News of Wednesday, 5 May 2004

Source: GNA

Service personnel asked to be dedicated to duty

Akim Oda (E/R), May 5, GNA- The Birim South District Co-ordinator of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Mr Ebenezer Anim-Dankwah, has urged National Service personnel to give of their best wherever they were posted to.

"Dedicate yourselves to the course of your country and think of what you can do for Ghana rather than what Ghana can do for you", he added.

Mr Anim-Dankwah who was speaking at an orientation course for service personnel in the district at Akim Oda on Wednesday, reminded them that whatever they do, would be recorded and used to assess them at the end of their service.

He called on them to use their education to improve upon the life of their communities, adding that "it is your duty to educate them on environmental issues".

The District Co-ordinator tasked the personnel to identify specific problems facing their communities and solve them.

He cautioned them against leading immoral lifestyle, saying "the nation has invested so much in you and would not like to loose you at your prime age."

Mr Henry Yaw Amesimeku, a member of the District Response Initiative on HIV/AIDS advised them not to indulge in unprotected sex, explaining that "by using condoms for sex, you may be prolonging your own life as well as helping to minimise the spread of the disease." He advised the people to go in for voluntary counselling and testing, saying that it was good for one to know his or her HIV status. Mr Amesimeku advised them not to shun people living with AIDS but rather supported and given care.