AIESEC in KNUST Launches an HIV/AIDS Program

AIESEC is an international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential to have positive impact in society.

KNUST branch of AIESEC last Saturday,5th April,2008 launched its HIV/AIDS program known as the ASK Program. The ASK(Answers, Solutions and Knowledge around HIV/AIDS issues) Program is a program being implemented in 13 African countries. And in Ghana, it is being implemented by 4 Universities (University of Ghana, KNUST, University of Cape Coast and Central University College).

The launching dubbed HIV/AIDS – YOU AND I WHY NOT was the opening ceremony for the program that will run for two months. Hundred students were selected from five schools (both senior and junior high schools) to be trained as peer educators. According to the project director, Anim Odame David, the program is aimed at training some selected students to be peer educators and has as its objectives among others, offering open spaces for discussions and sharing around HIV/AIDS issues between people from different nationalities and African students of higher and secondary education; delivering learning opportunities (workshops, working groups, exercises) that will promote the development of emissaries and champions of HIV/AIDS prevention; increasing the ability and skills to prevent HIV/AIDS in the African youth by exposing them to case studies and practical experience guided by international university students. He also added that it is hoped that these hundred students will further educate at least ten students each bringing the total impact to be on thousand students.

Mr. Ebenezer Sackey, the regional secretary for AIDS commission, who was the guest speaker stressed on the fact that the youth should be included in the fight against the pandemic disease since they can best influence their peers. He advised the youth to abstain from sex and concentrate on their studies.

The executive director of PACA International Foundation, a partner for the program declared his support to AIESEC for the good course they have taken and urged the youth to put their energies and abilities to proper use. Other partners for the program are Empowerment Center for Women and Children and Lifeline Ghana. The President of AIESEC in KNUST, B.G .O Akomea on his part called upon corporate bodies and philanthropist to come to their aid.

Delivering his closing remarks, the Assistant registrar (academic), Mr. Adu Brenya who chaired the occasion stated that HIV/AIDS has come to be canker causing great havoc to mankind and thus needs the effort of all to combat it. He therefore expressed his appreciated to AIESEC in KNUST for taking upon them the challenge to train the youth of Ghana to fight this pandemic. He advised the youth to emulate the example of members of AIESEC and declared his support for the program.

By: Bill Graham Osei Akomea. Faculty of Law, KNUST. Oseibill@yahoo.co.uk