BBC News - Saturday, 28 December, 2002

As many as 3.5% of Ghana's population is estimated to be HIV positive.

Last year it was believed to be 3%, but it is not clear whether the infection rate is increasing or more cases are simply being reported.

It is believed that only an estimated 40% of all HIV positive cases are reported to the authorities increasing the ambiguity with regards to the real situation of HIV/AIDS in Ghana.

But what is known is that it is the Ghanaian youth who are at most risk of catching the disease.

Unprotected sex

Currently, 95% of HIV positive people in Ghana are between the ages of 15 to 49 years. The primary cause of infection is through unprotected sex.

As a 26-year-old single male, I find this particularly alarming.

Not only does it mean that many of the friends that I have made here over the last two years are at serious risk, but also one fears the social-economic implications for the country over the next 20 to 30 years.

But the message of HIV/Aids is getting across to the youth and most encouraging of all - it is the youth who are spreading that message.

Youth Against AIDS (YAA) is a non-governmental and non-political organization.

It was set up in November, 2000 by 27-year-old Freeman Gobah, with the help of his brother, Innocent Cujo Gobah.

Freeman hopes the group can provide a focus for Ghanaian youth, educate them about Aids and combat misconceptions.

"Some people believe the disease is a foreign one that only affects those travelling to and living in neighbouring countries. The area also has an abundance of people who have high spiritual and religious beliefs about the spread of the disease, associating it with sinful behaviour."

His brother Innocent Cujo agreed: "When a person dies of Aids, people do not disclose or do not know the nature of their death, as a result their children and close family members do not themselves get tested.

Blame

"It is also very hard to know where people are getting infected when they travel around so much, it is very easy for the community to blame a neighbouring country for their death."

The whole group works tirelessly organising as many trips and workshops with the local community as possible.

Most of the group's work is with school children over 13 years of age, but they are also aware of the many young sexually active people who have already left school and are working.

I attended an information group for fishermen, but there are similar workshops for local mechanics and hairdressers and there are encouraging signs that YAA is being successful

As Innocent Cujo said that the message is finally starting to hit home.

"Those same mechanics and hairdressers now feel that they can approach us for advice or to buy condoms.

"Before they would have asked their friends, most of whom are misinformed. They have established a close relationship with us because we can identify with them."

Lack of funds

But for the fight against Aids to be successful groups like this must be given the cash they need to work effectively.

Sadly, like so many other small NGOs in the places where their work is most needed, that ability is severely hampered by a lack of funds.

So far the group is totally self-funded and is concerned about its ability to continue its work in the near future unless it can obtain further funding.

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