Konongo (Ash.) April 19 GNA- The Konongo-Odumasi Government Hospital in the Asante-Akim North District recorded a total of 205 AIDS cases in 2004.

Mr Saaka Dramani, Deputy District Coordinating Director, who made this known, said the actual number of people infected with the pandemic could be higher since not all cases were reported. He was speaking at the inauguration of the "Evangelist of AIDS Victims Association", a Non-governmental organisation (NGO), which has been campaigning to help bring down the infection rate in the District. Mr Dramani called on the youth to avoid promiscuous lifestyle to insolate them from infection.

"Let us have no illusion about the fact that AIDS is real and that there is presently no cure for it." The Deputy Coordinating Director suggested the formation of virgins club in all communities to encourage teenage girls and boys to remain chaste until marriage.

This he said would give them the needed protection and save the nation from losing its vital human resource to the AIDS pandemic. Mr Francis Appiadu, Konongo-Odumasi Area Council Chairman, noted that the sexually suggestive way of dressing among some girls dress, was undermining the campaign against HIV/AIDS.

The Chairman of the Association, Mr Baffour Awuah appealed to the Ghana AIDS Commission for support to enable the NGO to carry out a more effective anti-AIDS education campaign in the area.