NGO, Kintampo Waterfalls provide safe sex education for tourists and visitors

By Eric Yaw Boakye

Kintampo, (Bono East), April 25, GNA – The Management of the Kintampo Waterfalls in the Bono East Region in collaboration with the Action Youth for Development, a Non-Governmental Organisation is undertaking a campaign to promote safe sex among tourists.

According to Mr Joseph Nanga Nyindam, the Project Coordinator of the Action Youth for Development, the campaign further sought to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS infections in the Kintampo North Municipality.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kintampo, he said the campaign had mounted a booth near the waterfall and provided education on HIV and AIDS prevention.

“We also conduct interactive sessions with tourists and visitors on HIV infections, transmission, prevention and testing”, he stated.

Besides, Mr Nyindam said a team had been formed that distributed self-testing kits and condoms to the tourists and visitors.

That is aimed at empowering them to take charge of their sexual health and to practice safe sex.

He said the self-testing kits for HIV were easy to use and provided instant results, making it convenient for individuals to know their HIV status.

He advised sexually active young people to use condoms to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

They must also ensure that they wear the condoms properly and dispose of them after use, he advised.

Mr Nyindam described the response of many of the tourists who visited the waterfall in the Easter festivities as encouraging, saying “many of them were grateful for the opportunity to learn more about HIV and AIDS and were also to receive the self-testing kits and condoms”.

He said the NGO had been able to reach many tourists and visitors, promoting the importance of safe sexual practices and encouraging people to take control of their sexual health needs.

“The collaboration between the Kintampo Waterfalls and our NGO is a great example of how tourism and development can work hand in hand to bring about positive change in local communities”, Mr Nyindam added.

GNA

DEN/CA