Free condoms at all hotels

Accra, Jan. 8, GNA-Professor Sakyi Awuku Amoa, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission on Tuesday said five million pieces of condom would be made available during 26th MTN African Cup of Nations 2008 tournament to be staged in Ghana on January 20 to February 10.

Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Accra, Prof. Awuku Amoah said the condoms would be distributed freely to visitors who would troop into the country to watch the 16-nation tournament whilst some would be available at various hotels and guesthouses where supporters would be hosted.

He explained that the rationale behind this project was to make sure that by the end of the tournament Ghana would not be worse off in terms of increase in new infection cases of HIV.

"We want the public to appreciate that we are not promoting promiscuity by this action, which is the belief of people but that the country stands a risk if such precaution is not taken," he added. He said aside the condoms distribution, medical personnel would also be at the various four stadia sites to offer free voluntary testing and counselling for supporters who would like to know their status. Prof. Awuku Amoah noted that reports available to the Commission indicated that 30 percent of HIV infections are constituted by the youth "therefore they are our main target that we are working with now", he added.

According to him the Ghana AIDS Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Science and Sports had commenced an educational programme for pupils, teachers and communities and was supported by UNICEF. He advised the youth to go for the Voluntary Counselling and Testing since it would direct them as to how to protect their lives.