As part of efforts to create maximum awareness about the rise of the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, the Kintampo North Municipal Assembly has held an awareness campaign programme for school pupils in the area.
The awareness and sensitisation campaign, which took place at the Municipal Assembly, was well attended by stakeholders, especially in the health sector.
At the event, the school pupils were taken through free HIV testing and counselling, blood group and sugar level testing among others.
Speaking at the programme, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Alhaji Shibu Yarifa Inusah, on behalf of the Municipal Chief Executive, Mr. Isaac Baffoe Ameyaw, expressed his gratitude to the organisers of the programme, insisting that the event would help reduce the rising cases of HIV/AIDS in the Municipality.
He also commended the participants for availing themselves for the event.
He called for a united front to help fight against the deadly HIV/AIDS, and to show support for people living with AIDS
“The Assembly is using this opportunity to educate and sensitise the people of the Municipality on the causes, mode of transmission, effects, and treatment, and where you can get tested,” he added.
He said statistics from 2020/2021 global HIV reports considered the Municipality with the highest prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Bono East Region, and, therefore, urged all to get tested to know their status and stay protected, since HIV/AIDS was real and must be rooted out of the country.
The Municipal focal person for HIV/AIDS, Madam Bernice Banawneie in her address, outlined the importance of the engagement, adding that it will help the youth stay away from things that lead them into contracting the virus.
The Municipal Aids Coordinator for Ghana Health Service, Madam Esther Ottah, made a presentation on HIV/AIDS, the body’s ability to fight infections and how to show support for infected persons.
Madam Ottah also gave a brief history of HIV/AIDS in Ghana and in the Kintampo municipality, how it spreads/causes, stages of infection, symptoms, where to go for testing, importance of knowing your status, prevention among others.
Some public health officers from the municipal hospital also used the opportunity to educate the school pupils on teenage pregnancy; statistics and occurrences in the Kintampo Municipality; factors that influence teenage pregnancy; peer influence, sex education, social misfit, social media among others.
