PPAG, Sunyani branch distributes over 10,000 condoms to mark World AIDS Day

The Sunyani branch of the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) has distributed 10,200 condoms to promote safe sexual practices and help stem new HIV infections in Sunyani Municipality, to mark the 2024 commemoration of the World AIDS Day.

Mrs Esther Awuah Boateng, the Programmes Coordinator of the Association who disclosed this said the condoms were distributed at public institutions, markets, bus, and lorry terminals, as well as health institutions during an outreach programme organised by the Association to mark the Day.

Additionally, Mrs Boateng said the Association also sensitised the public on the appropriate use of the condoms to enable beneficiaries to use them well and protect themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani on the side-lines of HIV and AIDS outreach to mark the Day, appealed to beneficiaries to use the condoms saying that remained one of the surest ways they could protect themselves sexually related diseases and infections.

She explained the campaign sought to sensitize and educate the public on HIV prevention methods as well as help control society’s stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV and AIDS.

Mrs. Boateng said it was important for everybody to protect him or herself against HIV infections, by practicing safe sexual intercourse.

She said the Association had reached out to more than 700 people in their homes and workplaces through radio talk show programmes on HIV/AIDS, worrying that despite intensified public education, HIV/AIDS stigma was still high in the municipality and called for more efforts to bring it under control.

Joan Nuah and Wilhelmina Nunu, youth champions of the Association also called for the need to tackle some unfounded societal myths surrounding HIV and AIDS and urged sexually active young people to avoid unprotected sexual intercourse.

They also called for pragmatic measures to control the long-existing stigmatization and discrimination of persons living with HIV and AIDS too.

Source: GNA