Nkoranza (B/A), Sept. 21, GNA – Ahenbronomu Care Foundation, a Techiman-based non-governmental organisation, has organised 256 Persons Living With HIV/AIDS(PLWA) in Nkoranza and Techiman to form an association to enhance their welfare.

Mr. David Boama Asumadu, Director of the Organisation, disclosed this at a meeting with members of Nkoranza Chapter of the organisation at Nkoranza at the weekend.

He said the organisation had since its existence in Nkoranza and Techiman, trained a number of peer educators who were creating awareness on the pandemic in the communities for people would be cautious about their lifestyles.

Mr. Asumadu said the educators had been trained at Akropong, Nkoranza ‘A’ Line, Nkoranza-Kassardjan, Nyinase, Abuountam, Dandwa and Akumsa-Domase and embarking on the sensitization programmes.

The peer educators carry condoms with them on their rounds and encourage the people to use them to free themselves from HIV/AIDS.

The NGO director commended religious leaders at Nkoranza for collaborating with the organisation by arranging meetings with their members to acquire knowledge on the causes and effects of the pandemic.

He urged political leaders, Assembly Members, traditional authorities and teachers to join in the campaign against the spread of HIV/AIDS “since everybody is vulnerable to the disease”.

In addition to the awareness creation on HIV/AIDS, the organisation has also worked against domestic violence in the communities, Mr Asumadu disclosed, adding, the NGO also offered vocational skill training to support sustainable income activities.

The Nkoranza South district disease control officer, Mr. Charles Kwasi Gyamfi, commended the NGO for their hard work and efforts in visiting people in their homes to educate them on the dangers of the disease.

Mr. Gyamfi expressed concern about how some people continued to attribute the pandemic to witchcraft and called on all stakeholders to help in the educational campaign to control the spread of the disease.

Stigmatization is also a major challenge against efforts at controlling the disease, he said, adding, those living with the pandemic were reluctant to identify themselves for fear of being ridiculed.

Mr. Gyamfi reiterated that the prevalent rate of HIV/AIDS in the district was high and that all the people should be very cautious about their sexual practices so they would not contract the disease.

The Nkoranza South District Deputy Co-ordinating Director, Mr. John Amanah, who presided, expressed gratitude to the various NGOs working towards the control of HIV/AIDS nationwide and gave assurance that District Assemblies would also offer the necessary support to sustain their programmes.