Kwabeng (E/R), May 23, GNA - Ten peer providers and ten non-traditional condom distributors (NTCD), an assemblyman and four football clubs that participated in the implementation of the National Youth Council(NYC)/African Youth Alliance (AYA) Challenge Cup project in the East Akim District last year, were on Friday presented with awards at Kwabeng.

The awards were in recognition of their efforts towards the reduction of teenage pregnancy, post-abortion death, unwanted pregnancy and the reduction of HIV infections among young people in communities in the district where project was implemented.

East Akim District Chief Executive, Mr Emmanuel Victor Asihene presented the awards to the winners.

Ms Cecilia Atisogbe, won the over-all best peer educator award and was presented with 300,000 cedis, a certificate and a T-Shirt, while Ms Barikisu Fuseini won the prize for best female condom distributor and was presented with 150,00 cedis, a T-shirt, a cap and a certificate. The football clubs that won awards were Atiwa Rangers, Fanteakwa F/C, Kwabeng Presby Ladies F/C and Kwabeng Anglican Ladies F/C. The East Akim District Co-ordinator of NYC, Mr George Amuzu, said last year, the peer providers and non-traditional condom distributors sold a total of 31,985 male condoms and 658 female condoms within eight months.

He said the group also visit 219 homes, 41 schools and made contacts with 15,900 males and 12,634 females.

Mr Amuzu explained that under the NYC/AYA Challenge Cup project, the NYC used the passion for soccer as a rallying point for young people to congregate for the peer educators and NTCD to discuss with them sexual and reproductive health issues like teenage pregnancy, dangers of abortion, post abortion care, Sexually Transmitted Infections(STI), HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy.

He said in addition, the peer educators and the NTCD carried out film shows, talks, group discussions, and individual discussions and distributed information and education materials to young people. Mr Amuzu said in East Akim District, the project is being organised in Dar-el Salem, New Tafo, Ati Amanfrom, Kukurantumi, Odumase and Kwabeng.

He reminded people who work for the youth without reward to be assured that their efforts would yield a crime-free society which would be a guarantee for their future if they would live long enough. 23 May 04