Seminar on impact of HIV/AIDS on food production held

Abesewa (Ash), March 3, GNA - Seminar on the impact of HIV/AIDS on agriculture was held at Abesewa and Domeabra in the Ahafo-Ano South district of Ashanti to educate the people on the effects of the disease on farmer.

The programme organised by the Ahafo-Ano South district directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) also discussed the impact of the disease on food production in particular and the need to intensify efforts at preventing its spread. Vegetable growers, the youth, traders, members of community-based organisations, traditional rulers, religious bodies and the public attended the seminar.

The participants were taken through the causes and effects of HIV/AIDS on agriculture and how to use condoms and contraceptives. Mrs Ernestina Ankai-Taylor of the district health administration, asked couples to be faithful to their partners and the youth to abstain from pre-marital sex to prevent the spread of the disease. Mr Alfred Amo, the District Director of Agriculture, urged the MFOA to collaborated efforts with the communities to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He gave the assurance that the ministry would organise similar programmes at other places to educate the people on the disease.