'Abstain from casual sex'

September 12, 2008 pg 21

Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru

SPEAKERS at a seminar on HIV/AIDS have urged the youth to abstain from casual sex to avoid contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including the dreaded HIV/AIDS.
They rather urged them to focus on their studies since that was the only way they could become responsible citizens and contribute to the development of their respective communities.
A Principal Field Officer on HIV/AIDS, Mrs Sally Agyeman, the Chairman of NAF Ghana, Mr William Ayisu, and an HIV/AIDS advocate, Mr Chris Boadi, who made the call, were speaking at the seminar at Nsawam in the Akuapem South District in the Eastern Region.
Sungtaaba Integrated Development Association (SIDA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), organised the seminar to educate the youth on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and how to avoid contracting the disease.
Mrs Agyeman stressed the need for the youth to abstain from unprotected sex, and instead engage in physical exercises and other recreational activities.
She implored them to stay away from hard drugs, including alcohol, marijuana and cocaine since they could incite them to engage in casual sex.
Mrs Agyeman also warned the youth against watching pornographic films and magazines.
She exhorted married couples to be faithful to their partners or use condoms when they were not sure of their partners.
For his part, Mr Ayisu urged young ladies not to go in for older men as a measure of making money since such men could be carriers of HIV .
Mr Boadi charged the youth to play complementary roles in HIV/AIDS prevention by embarking on floats to educate their colleagues on the dangers of the disease and its prevention.