Cape Coast, Dec. 21, GNA - Professor Sakyi Amoa, Director General of AIDS Commission, has said that the impact of HIV/AIDS is different from other diseases because it strikes people in the most productive group.

In a speech read on his behalf at the 6th graduation ceremony of the Centre for Computer Studies, Cape Coast, on Saturday, Professor Amoa said an increase in the spread of the epidemic would have a negative impact on the population.

It would also affect the youth and threaten the availability of labour for industries.

"Industries will begin to see increase in health bills and increase in absenteeism due to ill health arising from the infection and subsequent deaths," he said.

He noted that in agriculture, the loss of labour would also be significant as farmers may shift to less labour intensive crops. Professor Amoa said that the education would suffer with the loss of teachers, adding that, it was estimated that in some countries the public service would lose up to 50 percent of their current workforce over the next 5-10 years with a consequential loss of skills and institutional knowledge.

Professor Amoa said in view of the challenges that HIV/AIDS posed and its devastating impact on socio-economic development there was the need for collaborative actions and sound policies to guide our national response in the fight against the pandemic.

Prof Amoa said it required individuals and society to re-evaluate their attitudes, prejudices and behaviours.

There was therefore the need for effective policies to promote, support and care rather than coerce, discriminate and trample on the human rights of infected persons instead stigmatising excluding them from society, he said.

He urged the students to change their lifestyles, adding that, as the youth of the country they had the potential to turn the tide against HIV/AIDS by refusing to engage in risky activities such as unprotected sex.

Prof Amoa said as students they had a very important role to play in the national response against HIV/AIDS and called for their active involvement in the campaign to end stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with AIDS.

Ms Martha Hackman, Director of the Institute, said 97 students passed out this year.