AIDS cases in Awutu-Effutu-Senya alarming, Minister

Winneba (Central Region), 26 Jan. '99 - The Awutu-Effutu-Senya district is reported to be leading in the number of AIDS cases in the Central Region. Mr Mike Hammah, deputy Minister of Roads and Transport and MP for the area said this yesterday when he met opinion leaders, administrators, assembly and unit committee members and directors of education in Winneba. The Minister said according to medical statistics released in Cape Coast, Winneba and its surrounding villages scored the highest number of AIDS cases in the region. Mr Hammah did not disclose the number involved but said the statistics are "alarming" and urged religious leaders, assembly and unit committee members, district administrations and the district education service to launch a joint AIDS awareness campaign. Lt Daniel William Osardu, District Chief Executive and Mr Frank Essien, District Director of Education, promised to take the initiative to meet chiefs, headteachers and leaders of organised groups in the district to plan a strategy for the campaign. They also announced their intention to launch a long-term "send your child to school" campaign to ensure that all children in the district go to school. The campaign will be extended to teachers and school children on the need to intensify teaching and learning to raise the standard of education in the area.