The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection would re-launch HIV and AIDS awareness programme in the Central Region to involve the youth to spread the message of the dangers of the disease to the people.
Mrs Cynthia Morrison, the sector Minister and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Agona West, made this known when she paid a courtesy call on Okofo Katakyi Nyarkoh Eku X, the Omanhene of the Nyakrom Traditional Area of the Central Region.
She said her visit was to express her gratitude to the Omanhene and the Divisional Chiefs in Agona West for their prayers and support in her appointment as Minister by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Mrs Morrison said after the re-launch, the youth would be given training before they embark on house-to-house campaign to create the awareness.
She said the AIDS menace, which has no cure was still in existence and there was the need for the people to be sensitised to avoid indiscriminate sex.
She said according reports the disease was high in the Central Region and called on the queen mothers in the Agona West to take the initiative to educate young girls and boys on the need to abstain from premarital sex.
The Minister said the usage of the social media and the internet has exposed teenagers to early sex and asked parents and guardians to be vigilant of the movement of their children.
Mrs Morrison urged opinion leaders and stakeholders to help carry out sex education in the basic and senior high schools, social clubs, and keep fit clubs, to curb the spread of the disease.
Other areas the Minister visited are Agona Nkum, Upper Bobikuma, Lower Bobikuma, Kwamang and Agona Abodom to thank the chiefs.
Okofo Katakyi Nyarkoh expressed gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the appointment of the MP as Minister.
He urged Mrs Morrison to work hard to improve the living conditions of the people.
At Nkum, Nana Nyarkoh Etuah III, the Obaatan of Agona Nyakrom Traditional Area, urged the Minister to continue in her efforts to bring development to Agona West.
GNA
