Agona Swedru (C/R), Jan. 29, GNA - A spiritual leader of the Hare Krishna Movement, Srila Kavichandra Swami, has appealed to the government to give financial assistance to the Movement to support the efforts of combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

He said the Movement had embarked on a serious campaign against HIV/AIDS in its small way but needed additional support from the government and the local authorities to make it a reality.

Speaking at an annual "Food for Life" conference at Agona Swedru, Leader Swami noted that the disease was fast spreading like wild fire and there was the need to assist the government to fight it.

He said the Hare Krishna Movement had started the educational campaign in schools, colleges and other target groups in order to reduce the menace, adding that the disease was doing more harm than good in developing countries economically, socially and politically. The Head of the Movement urged Ghanaians to desist from indiscriminate sexual behaviour.

He said the Movement had plans to build schools and clinics throughout the country to help raise the standard of education and health care delivery.

The movement distributed food to more than 500 children at the ceremony.