Regional News of Friday, 11 March 2005

Source: GNA

WAG trains 120 volunteers on HIV/AIDS and STDs

Nsiana (Ash), March 11, GNA - Women AID Ghana (WAG), a Kumasi-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), has trained 120 volunteers to undertake a house-to-house information, education and communication on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) in four communities in the Amansie West District.

The communities are Nyade, Asarekrom, Moseaso and Nsiana. Mr Isaac Bonsu, Executive Director of the WAG, said this at a day's sensitisation workshop organised by the WAG on HIV/AIDS and STDs at Nsiana on Thursday.

The training programme formed part of the six-month HIV/AIDS and STDs awareness and sensitisation programme sponsored by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC).

He expressed concern about the increasing rate of HIV/AIDS cases in the region and urged the volunteers to also provide advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Mr Peter Mensah, Project Co-ordinator, urged them to make themselves available to their peers, friends and relatives and sensitise them about the dangers of the diseases and the need to check the spread of them.

Mr Akoto Sarpong, a social worker and resource person, said until a cure is found for HIV/AIDS, community sensitisation would continue to remain a major component of government's health priority. He stressed the need for all stakeholders including communities, traditional rulers, churches, district assemblies and the NGOs to strengthen their collaboration in resource generation towards the HIV/AIDS education programmes.