Make skills training part of strategy to combat HIV/AIDS.

Datano (Ash), July 9, GNA- Mr Kofi Adu, Executive Director of "Set the Needy Captives Free", a Christian NGO engaged in AIDS awareness creation and the rehabilitation of Buruli Ulcer victims, has appealed to churches and NGOs to make skills training a part of the strategy to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He said it was only when the people were assisted to go into economic ventures that they could resist the temptation of taking to immorality.

Mr Adu was speaking at an anti-AIDS campaign launched by the NGO at Datano, a ''galamsey'' operating community in the Amansie West District in Ashanti.

He said some young girls were forced into commercial sex as a result of economic circumstances.

''It is, therefore, important to ensure that the campaign against HIV-AIDS goes hand in hand with an equally aggressive drive to reduce poverty.''

Nana Kwadwo Boateng III, chief of Datano, said AIDS education should aim at encouraging complete abstinence from sex by the unmarried. He held the view that advertisements on condom use were corrupting the morals of the youth and fuelling promiscuity and must be de-emphasised.