Apam (C/R), Aug. 14, GNA - Fifty field partners have completed a training programme under the auspices of the Rural Environmental Development Network (REDNET) a non-governmental organization, to fight the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease in 50 communities in the Gomoa District.

Ghana AIDS Commission funded the training programme, which aimed at building the capacity of the field partners in handling HIV/AIDS related issues.

The participants were taught effective communication methods, conflict management, the mode of HIV infection and the prevention and management of the disease.

Mr Eric Akobeng, Gomoa District HIV/AIDS Focal Person and one of the resource persons who spoke on effective communication and conflict management, urged the participants to package their messages in such a way as to ensure that they are well understood by their audiences. He advised them to take into account the cultural practices and beliefs of the people in the planning and delivery of their messages. On conflict management, Mr Akobeng, who is also the District Budget Analyst, urged the participants to expect to meet people with divergent views who may not agree with them on certain issues.

He urged them not to be discouraged by such divergent views but to incorporate them into their future programmes.

Mr Akobeng cautioned them to desist from involving themselves in chieftaincy and other local disputes so as to incur the displeasure of some factions within the communities.

"Where there are more than one chief in a community, rely on the assembly member or chairman of Town/Area Council for getting your message across," he advised.

He urged the field partners to involve the people in the planning and execution of their programmes to enhance active participation. Miss Diana Hall-Badoo, the District Director of Ghana Health services who took the participants through the mode of infection, prevention and management of the disease, cautioned the youth to refrain from sexual promiscuity, abstain from early sex advised couples to be faithful to their partners.

Miss Hall-Badoo advised the people to have compassion on people living with the disease.

Mr Yaw Adu Asamoah, District Co-ordinating Director, who opened the training workshop, cautioned people engaged in the anti-AIDS campaign not to confuse the people with wrong information about the disease citing a case in which a chief was alleged to have told his people that they would die if they use the condom. Mr Emmanuel Morris-Mensah, Executive Director of REDNET admonished the participants to prove worthy ambassadors of the organization and the Ghana AIDS Commission by working hard to reduce the infection rate in the district.