Winneba, July 8, GNA- The Winneba Government Hospital in the Central Region records three to ten new HIV/AIDS cases a week, Dr Paa Kwesi Thompson, a local doctor said on Tuesday.

He therefore, warned the people of the area to be mindful of their sexual activities to protect themselves against the disease.

The Medical Officer was speaking at the launch of a Year-long HIV/AIDS awareness programme at Efutu Fetteh, a suburb of Winneba. Dr Thompson said, "The disease is real and has come to stay with Human beings and as such efforts must be made to stop its spread in the country."

Captain Steve Kwabena Armah, (rtd), District Chief Executive of Efutu Senya, charged parents and guardians to explain the dangers and medium of contracting the disease to young members of society. He cautioned Non-governmental Organisations and Community-Based Organisations who have received grants to educate the public on the disease to ensure that they channel those resources to right use.

He asked the youth to heed the advice being offered by health workers and public officials to desist from pre-marital sex. Mr Jonah Boahene and Mr Yaw Osei Asibey, President and Executive Secretary of Global Hope International, respectively, organisers of the forum, assured government and Ghanaians of their preparedness to intensify the HIV/AIDS message to the people, particularly, those at the grassroots level.