Regional News of Monday, 5 January 2004

Source: GNA

Anti-HIV/AIDS bodies organise float

Amasaman (G/A), Jan. 5, GNA - More than ten HIV/AIDS organisations at the weekend organised a float through the principal streets of Amasaman and Pokuase to draw the attention of the people in the area to the menace of the deadly disease.

Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: "HIV/AIDS is Real and Cannot be Cured", "Stay with Your Partner Alone" and "Stop Prostitution".

Some of the organisations were Rural Women Foundation, Rescue African Foundation, Jeslave Gospel Communication and Wellington Foundation.

Addressing the over 400 members of the organisations later, Mr Nash Kwadjo Abbey, Ga District Focal Person for HIV/AIDS response initiative called on them to carry the message to the hinterlands in the district. Mr Kwadjo Abbey who is also the Senior Co-ordinator for the National Youth organisation, said the HIV/AIDS infection rate was very high in the Ga district and that the hardest hit persons are normally children, women and the youth.

He urged religious bodies to use the pulpit to educate their congregation on the menace of the disease.

Mrs Fati Salifu, Project Manager and Hajia Fulera Salifu, Director of Rural Women Foundation commended the Ghana AIDS Commission for sponsoring HIV/AIDS programmes in the area.