PPAG Sunyani Branch Distributes Over 10,000 Condoms to Promote Safe Sexual Practices.

Sunyani: 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, marking the 2024 commemoration of World AIDS Day. Mrs Esther Awuah Boateng, the Programmes Coordinator of the Association, disclosed that the condoms were distributed at public institutions, markets, bus, and lorry terminals, as well as health institutions during an outreach programme organized by the Association to mark the Day.According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs Boateng mentioned that the Association also sensitized the public on the appropriate use of condoms to enable beneficiaries to use them effectively, protecting themselves against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In an interview on the side-lines of the HIV and AIDS outreach to mark the Day, she appealed to beneficiaries to use the condoms, emphasizing that this remained one of the surest ways to protect themselves from sexually relat ed diseases and infections.She explained that the campaign sought to sensitize and educate the public on HIV prevention methods and help control societal stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV and AIDS. Mrs Boateng stressed the importance of everyone protecting themselves against HIV infections by practicing safe sexual intercourse.The Association reached out to more than 700 people in their homes and workplaces through radio talk shows on HIV/AIDS, expressing concern that despite intensified public education, HIV/AIDS stigma remained 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 emphasized the need to tackle unfounded societal myths surrounding HIV and AIDS and urged sexually active young people to avoid unprotected sexual intercourse. They called for pragmatic measures to control the long-standing stigmatization and discrimination against persons living with HIV and AIDS as well.