Akim Oda (E/R), Jan. 16, GNA - An HIV and AIDS awareness campaign ha= s been held in four communities in the Birim Central Municipality, to inform the people about the causes, effects, symptoms and the dangers associated with the pandemic. The week-long programme by the Young and Lonely Foundation, Ghana (YLF= ) , a non-governmental organisation was organised at Akroso, Gyewani Nkwanta, Oda Nkwanta and Nkwantanum.

The participants made up of chiefs, farmers and artisans and youth groups in the beneficiary towns, were taken through the mode of transmission, negative impact of the HIV and AIDS on agriculture, and the proper use of contraceptives. Mr Gilbert Kofi Germain, Executive Director of YLF, who led the seven resource persons of the programme, urged the participants to impart what they had learnt to their communities. Mr Germain appealed to religious leaders to teach their congregation about the need to be faithful to their partners and abstain from casual sex in order to avoid infection. 1