NGO organises workshop for JSS students

Ejisu (Ash), Aug 16, GNA - A five-day workshop has been organised for about 400 Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) drawn from five schools in the Ejisu-Juaben district of Ashanti.

The workshop was designed to sensitise them on the dangers of the HIV/AIDS for them to avoid early and casual sex. It was organised by Oskan Chills Foundation, an NGO in collaboration with the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC). Addressing the students, Mr George Padmore Mensah, the Deputy District Co-ordinating Director and a Focal Person, said available statistics from the Juaben Government Hospital showed that from 1999 to 2004, the district recorded 737 AIDS cases.

He said about 50 per cent of the affected persons were between 17 and 25 years and pointed out that the development of the district without the youth would be meaningless.

Mr Mensah therefore advised the students to abstain from early and casual sex since they were still very young and had a lot more time ahead of them and asked them to concentrate on their books, learn hard to become responsible citizens.

Mr Kwabena Osarfo-Kantanka, President and founder of the NGO, advised young girls to resist the advances of boys and also not allow themselves to be influenced by their peers. Mr Dan Kwabla, another focal person, advised the students to desist from watching pornographic films and materials and should also avoid sharing sharp instruments with their friends. Aug. 16 05