Apam (C/R), May 21, GNA - Miss Victoria Ayesu, a final year student of University of Education, Winneba has advised parents to stop shrouding sexuality in secrecy since it does not help their children. "Refusal to give sex education to children is not only a disservice to them but also retard the campaign to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the society," the student asserted.

"Sex is a natural instinct, which is practised anytime the time comes; therefore it is better for parents to educate their children on it to make them know the problem it entails", she said.

Miss Ayesu was presenting a paper at a forum organised at Apam Secondary School by final year Guidance and Counselling Students of the Psychology and Education Departments of the University.

The topic of the presentation, which formed part of their course work was "Adolescents Sexual Behaviour and HIV/AIDS: Counselling hints." Miss Ayesu advised adolescents to have a vision and focus on how to achieve it and said this could draw their attention away from sex. "You should not allow yourselves to be drawn into things, which promote sexual desires such as watching pornographic materials," she said.

In a speech read on behalf of Ms Joyce Aidoo, Acting Gomoa District Chief Executive, she said although government had a policy to support there had not been enough advocacy to provide an enabling environment for adolescent reproductive health.

Ms Aidoo said poverty, lack of parental control, single parenting as a result of divorce and or separation and lack of knowledge on sexual reproduction continue to have a negative effect on the lives of adolescents.

The DCE cautioned students against compromising with "sugar daddies" that could endanger their future saying, "A mistake committed today can jeopardise your future".

Mr Eric Akobeng, Gomoa District HIV/AIDS Focal Person said poorly treated Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) and abortions accounted for about 80 per cent of infertility among married couples and cautioned them to seek early treatment at recognised health facilities. He advised them to abstain from pre-marital sex.