MCE blames western culture for spread of HIV/AIDS

Odumase (Ash), Jan 20, GNA - Mr Thomas Osei-Bonsu, the Asante-Akim North Municipal Chief Executive, has counselled the youth against provocative dresses, which he said, was fuelling the spread of the HIV-AIDS infection.

They should avoid the type of dresses, particularly those that expose sensitive parts of women. He said the growing craze for Western culture was making it difficult to check the disease infection.

The MCE was speaking at a World AIDS' day celebration at Odumase. Mr Osei-Bonsu asked young people to carry themselves with dignity and uphold cherished traditional values of decency. The celebration was held on the theme, "Universal access and human rights; action now", and in attendance were civil society groups, students, heads of department and the general public. Ms Vida Achiaa, the HIV-AIDS Ashanti Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Focal Person, said stigmatization of people living with the disease was a major challenge to the fight against it. She said it was important to respect the rights of HIV-AIDS infected persons and to treat them with dignity.

Dr Akuamoah Boateng, the Municipal Director of Health Services, assured people living with the disease in the area that there were sufficient anti-retroviral drugs at the Konongo-Odumse and Agogo Presbyterian hospitals. 20 Jan 11