Street children attend HIV/AIDS workshop

Accra, Feb. 19, GNA - Fifty youth leaders and street children in the Accra Metropolis on Saturday received training on HIV/AIDS at the Street Academy in Accra.

The one-day workshop, which was organized by the Street Academy and sponsored by International Child Solidarity Ghana, an NGO based in Denmark was to educate the youth leaders and the street children on issues concerning HIV/AIDS.

Speaking at the workshop, Mr Ishmael Aryeetey, former Mayor of Accra and director/Patron of the Street Academy said life is too valuable to be misused, since every human being has only one chance to live on this earth.

Mr Aryeetey said, since HIV/AIDS was acquired and not transmitted through genes it is the duty of every individual to be cautious of their sexual life and the use of objects that have sharp edges, as these were the main forms of transition.

He stated that it was the responsibility of the youth leaders who serve as peer educators to teach young people how to build self-confidence and be ready to provide answers to all questions relating to sex and male-female relationship.

He asked the youth leaders to translate the information gained into the local languages and transmit it to the youth in their communities for better understanding.

Ataa Latey, founder of the school said the workshop was organized for the youth to provide them with knowledge on how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and show love and care to People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWH).

As part of activities, six of the participants received packs of condoms for taking part in a quiz in which they answered questions concerning HIV/AIDS.

Participants were however, given practical tips on how to avoid the menace, and also demonstrations on how to use a condom; and certificates were awarded to them.