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The District Chief Executive for Techiman North, Hon. Adom Kwabena Johnson, has expressed serious concern over the increasing HIV prevalence and rampant drug abuse among the youth in the district, describing both as major threats to agricultural productivity and the future of the area.
Speaking at the 41st National Farmers’ Day celebration held at Mesidan on Friday under the theme “Feed Ghana, Eat Ghana and Secure the Future,” Hon. Johnson stressed that “a healthy nation is a productive nation,” adding that farmers can only feed the country when they and their children remain healthy.
Citing the latest data from the Ghana AIDS Commission, the DCE disclosed that Techiman North’s HIV prevalence rate stands at 1.79%, higher than the national average of 1.66%.
“The old adage that a healthy nation is a productive nation cannot be over emphasized since our gallant farmers can only produce more when they are in good health. The District has experienced a surge in HIV and AIDS in recent years due to several factors such as unprotected sex, multiple sex and other causes which our farmers must be careful. The recent survey conducted by the Ghana AIDS Commission indicated that the Techiman North District prevalence rate of 1.79% was above the national prevalence rate of 1.6% which calls for worry.
“The most affected and infected persons are mostly the youth who engage in active and unprotected sex life styles, I therefore urge all of us to be careful. I wish to urge you all to observe the necessary protocols for prevention not to be infected by the disease.”
Hon. Adom Johnson announced that Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is available free of charge at all five Area Councils in the district, and appealed to participants at the Farmers’ Day event to visit the ongoing free health screening stands to know their status.
On the growing menace of drug abuse, the DCE singled out the widespread use of tramadol, cocaine, marijuana (“wee”) and a substance locally known as “Red” among the youth
“It is instructive to state that the District Assembly in collaboration with other stakeholders are working assiduously to reduce the infection rate and also put those who were unfortunately infected and affected to live through medication of ART which can be access free in all the five Area Councils. Let me seize this opportunity to appeal to all participants gathered here that there is a free screening of various diseases going on for us to check our health status.
“Again, the use of illicit drugs by the youth is on the ascendency which need to be tackled with all seriousness to safe the youth from total destruction. The use of Red, Tramadol, cocaine and wee has taken the center stage in the life of our future leaders. The Assembly in collaboration with its agencies is leaving no stone unturned to occasionally conduct swoops to arrest those engaging in it for prosecution. We appeal to Nananom and other influential groups to support this worthy course to safe this generation from total collapse.”
While praising farmers for their hard work, Hon. Johnson reminded the gathering that good health remains the foundation for increased food production and national development.
The Farmers’ Day event also saw the presentation of awards to 14 outstanding farmers and fishers in the district. The DCE congratulated the winners and encouraged those who did not win this year to remain motivated, assuring them that their contributions to food security will one day be duly recognised.
Source: Ghanaweb.mobi
