Virgins club inaugurated at Apam

Apam, Aug 4, GNA - A virgins club for girls above the age of 17 in the Gomoa District has been inaugurated at Apam. Over 200 girls, the oldest being 23 have offered themselves to be tested at a hospital to prove that their virginity had not be broken. The formation of the club was a measure instituted by the district response initiative to encourage abstinence as the safest method of HIV/AIDS prevention. Awards are to be instituted for them to motivate others to emulate them.

Inaugurating the club, Miss Joyce Mildred Aidoo, the District Chief Executive called on the youth to discard the notion that abstinence from sex makes one timid and senseless. She cautioned parents who drive their children out to go and seek wealth to desist from the practice since it could lead to premature death. Miss Aidoo advised chiefs, assembly members and unit committees to discourage organising "meet-me-there", a social gathering especially during festivals.

Mr Eric Akobeng, the District AIDS Focal Person exhorted the girls to avoid falling prey to alcoholism and peer pressure which could make them break their virginity. Mr Akobeng advised them to insist that HIV/AIDS test was conducted for their fianc=E9s before they marry in order not to make the sacrifice they had made useless.

In an interview with the GNA Miss Ruth Amissah, a 23-year-old hairdresser who is a member of the club advised girls not to think that maintaining one's virginity at that age was difficult. Miss Amissah said any one who had an ambition could do it with determination and prayers. She said anyone who wanted to succeed should be content with whatever she had without thinking about what others had.