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General News of Wednesday, 6 December 2006

Source: GNA

62% of Ghanaian Gays indulge in heterosexual activities

Kumasi, Dec. 6, GNA - A recent research conducted by a consortium of HIV/AIDS civil groups in Ghana has revealed that about 62 per cent of Gays in Ghana indulge in heterosexual activities with their wives and girlfriends.

The Reverend Kofi Boateng, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the African Christian Homes and Rehabilitation Centre, a Kumasi-based NGO, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Wednesday, said the research has also identified spots as a regular rendezvous where commercial sex workers waited for clients.

The research was conducted in the Kumasi and Accra Metropolitan Areas and the Tema Municipality by the Academy for Educational Development (AED), in conjunction with the Futures Group and the Catholic Relief Service (CRS), under the Strengthening HIV/AIDS Response Partnership (SAARP) Project sponsored by United States Internal Development Agency (USAID).

Rev Boateng, who is seen by most Kumasi residents as a veteran in the fight against the HIV/AIDS menace, was visibly worried about the startling revelation pointing to a new trend of male sexuality, indicating sexual perversion and a potential threat for increased transmission of the HIV/AIDS virus.

He said the current figure of 247,200 people Living with HIV/AIDS in the country and the cumulative figure of 21,443 relating to HIV/AIDS deaths since it was first detected in the country, coupled with the almost 90 per cent of commercial workers being HIV/AIDS positive, must serve as a wake-up call to all.

Rev Boateng called on Ghanaians to get on board in the fight to stem the menace, which incidence keep spiralling in spite of efforts made so far by the Government, individuals and civil societies. He also called on Ghanaians to adopt more healthy lifestyles by trying to re-channel their sexual drive into other energy expending activities like sports and urged, especially men, to control their libidinous proclivity.