Nkoranza (B/A), Jan. 22, GNA - Queen mothers in Brong Ahafo have resolved to revisit the practice of puberty rites for young girls called 'Bragoro' in Twi to help check teenage pregnancies in the area. The re-institution of the practice will also ensure that the girls grow into adulthood before they engage in sexual practices with their husbands to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS.

Nana Yaa Dudaa Kanii, Queen mother of Nkoranza Traditional Area disclosed at a one-day workshop organised to educate 60 queen mothers in the Nkoranza District on the causes and effects of the pandemic and how the people must guard against getting affected.

The workshop was a follow-up to one held in Sunyani for all queen mothers in the region so they could in turn carry out the campaign in their communities against the spread of the pandemic. Nana Yaa advised women to patronize the use of condom to protect themselves against the pandemic if they could not avoid indulging in casual sex.

She urged the people to monitor the activities of people in the district to check against female genital mutilation in the district, as the practice was a violation of the rights of victims. The queen mother advised parents to use their resources to educate their children to become responsible citizens.

Mr Solomon Obeng-Danquah, District HIV/AIDS Focal Person noted that the pandemic was fast spreading in the area and urged the queen mothers to liaise with the leadership in the communities to create more awareness, especially among the youth about the pandemic. He called on the people to offer themselves for voluntary counselling and testing to determine their health status on the pandemic as everyone was at risk.

The Focal Person urged the people not to shun the company of victims of the pandemic but to show love, concern and affection for them.

Mrs Eva Saku, Nkoranza Public Health Nurse, cautioned parents against the common use of razors and toothbrushes by family members and advised them to have their baby boys circumcised only in hospitals. She urged couples to remain faithful to their partners and the youth to abstain from casual sex to avoid contracting the pandemic. Mr Adjei Yeboah, Presiding Member of Nkoranza District Assembly called on the queen mothers to intensify their efforts in the campaign against the spread of the pandemic. 22 Jan. 05