WOMEN WADE INTO HIV/AIDS BATTLE
By Bennett Akuaku

October 13, 2003 – (Ghanaian Chronicle - Accra) As part of the grand coalition to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic out of society, one of the latest strategies is to focus more on the family to uproot the pandemic once and for all.

The new game plan, adopted by Better Hope Foundation, a non-Governmental Organization (NGO), hopes to bring into the fore the instrumental role women can play as counselors in the family.

The new approach to stop the virus from further spreading was unveiled in Ho at the launching of an educational workshop at the World Vision Hall for 30 women drawn from 15 selected communities within the district last Tuesday.

Speaking as a guest speaker on the first day of the workshop, Mr. Kojo Krakani, assembly member for Matse/Lume electoral area and chairman of the social services sub-committee of the Ho district assembly, said the family is the primary group of society and the main fabric of every community.

And since every individual comes from a home there is the ample opportunity for all to be exposed to training of all kinds, including self-discipline, self-restraint and acceptable conduct.

Mr. Krankani urged that because of the frightening nature of the implications of HIV/AIDS on the manpower development of Ghana, it behooves on every family to ensure that members are well behaved.

He enjoined NGOs to redirect their efforts and resources to smaller groups like homes and families and strengthen them towards campaign task.

"This is because parents who die prematurely as a result of AIDS leave behind orphaned dependants who could also go uncared for, and may not get access to education," he stressed, and added that people living with the virus should not be shunned.

Earlier in a welcome address the chief executive of Better Hope Foundation, Miss Elizabeth K. Sunu, said the theme of the workshop, "Mainstreaming HIV/AIDS Education Into Women's Programmes," has been chosen because women seem to be more at the receiving end due to the polygamous society in which we are.

Miss Sunu appealed to participants to take the workshop seriously and help spread wider the message of abstinence.

Present at the opening ceremony were Torgbe Dei, chief of Ho Dome, Mama Atrato II, queen mother of Ho Dome and Mr. Francis Kwaku, presiding member of Ho district Assembly.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200310131063.html