Accra, March 1, GNA - An Action Plan on Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health, Safe Motherhood and HIV/AIDS, was launched on Sunday at the Mallam branch of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana with a call on parents to bring up and train their children to be firm and steadfast in their Christian principles and values. The one-year scheme, the brainchild of members of the Russia District branch of the West Volta Presbytery of the church, is to create the necessary awareness about the dangers involved in the high spate of uncontrolled forms of sexuality.

Speaking at the launch, Mr David Kudowor, Executive Secretary of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Moral Education Committee (EPMEC) regretted that although people, especially the youth and teenagers, were aware of the existence of the AIDS pandemic, attitudinal change towards the disease remained difficult for them.

Mr Kudowor suggested the collaboration of the family and the church, so that the two institutions could work together on safe motherhood and HIV/AIDS prevention.

He said EPMEC was determined to ensure the success of the Action Plan through outreach programmes for members. The Executive Secretary advocated the promotion of decent behaviour patterns among the youth, by encouraging parents, church agents and presbyters to supervise and monitor youth activities.

Mr Kudowor further advocated the organisation of vocational skill training for the youth in order that they would utilize their youthful energy and time profitably.

This, he hoped, would complement good moral training among the youth to help prevent the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Reverend James Kofi Afele, Chairperson of the West Volta Presbytery urged government to lend its support to HIV/AIDS programmes, so that when the spate of the pandemic was reduced, it would bring a sigh of relief to majority of the people.

Colonel Leticia Kwapong, official from the AIDS Commission reiterated the call on married couples to remain faithful to their partners, while the youth stayed away from early and pre-marital sex, in an attempt to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.