AIDS Campaign To Be Launched At Mali 2002

The Ministry of Youth and Sports in conjunction with its partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS will launch a campaign to coincide with the 23rd African Cup of Nations Football Tournament, which takes off in Mali from January 19th to February 10th.

A statement signed by Mr Kofi Aggrey, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry said the campaign is a product of collaboration among the Ministry and its partners including the Ghana AIDS/HIV Commission (GAC), John Hopkins University/Centre for Communications Programmes (JHU/CCP), Ghana Social Marketing Foundation International (GSMF) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The campaign, dubbed "Play for Life" is intended to harness positive energy and attention of millions of Ghanaians, especially the youth and will be mainly focused on the tournament through messages that use football terminologies.

The statement further said under the slogan: “What's your game plan?” the campaign will aim at influencing football fans' attitudes and behaviours on the HIV/AIDS and will give concrete information on how to prevent AIDS.

It said the campaign will use football terminologies such as know your opponents and their tactics, use of proper protection, communications among team mates and good coaching to encourage the youth to avoid risky behaviours and to develop effective game plan to protect themselves from the disease.