By Dorothy Frances Ward, GNA
Kumasi Aug. 06, GNA – Nana Antwi Agyei Brempong II, the Atwimahene has stressed the need to strengthen the Ghanaian cultural and traditional values and practices, to help curb the spread of HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly, among young people.
He said some cultural practices such as Bragoro, Dipo and others, if actively encouraged in society, could help delay sexual activities and prevent young women from engaging in early and premarital sex.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Kumasi, Nana Brempong indicated that, traditional authorities and leaders must come together to ensure that foreign cultural practices that led the youth to engage in immoral activities were not encouraged in the communities.
He said although the country had made significant progress in HIV prevention through education, testing and treatment, increasing risky sexual behaviour among some sections of the population remained a major public health concern.
Nana Brempong observed that many traditional values that promoted discipline, chastity, respect for family authority and responsible living had weakened over the years because of the changing lifestyles, social media influence, and peer pressure.
Additionally, these values served as important moral guides in many communities and helped young people make responsible decisions that protected their health and future.
Again, reviving positive cultural practices should not be seen as a return to outdated customs but as a way of reinforcing values that encouraged responsible behaviour and healthy relationships, he said.
The Chief stated that the fight against HIV and other STIs required a comprehensive approach that combined scientific knowledge, quality healthcare, and the preservation of beneficial cultural values.
Nana Brempong said traditional leaders remained influential in their communities and could use festivals, durbars, community meetings and other cultural gatherings to educate the public on the dangers of risky sexual behaviour.
He urged chiefs and queen mothers across the country to partner with health professionals in delivering accurate information on HIV prevention, testing and treatment to their people.
Nana Brempong urged parents to openly discuss sexual and reproductive health issues with their children instead of leaving them to depend on misinformation from friends or social media.
He said religious organisations and educational institutions complemented the efforts of families by promoting moral discipline, self-respect, and responsible decision-making among young people.
He stressed that strengthening cultural values should never promote stigma or discrimination against people living with HIV, saying compassion, respect and support were essential in the national response to the disease.
Nana Brempong further advised young people to abstain from risky sexual practices, avoid substance abuse that could impair their judgment, and make use of available health services, including HIV counselling and testing.
He appealed to government agencies, the Ghana Health Service, civil society organisations and development partners to continue investing in public education campaigns, while working closely with traditional authorities to promote behavioural change.
He expressed confidence that by combining Ghana’s rich cultural heritage with evidence-based public health interventions, the country could significantly reduce new HIV infections, improve public awareness and safeguard the health and well-being of future generations.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Christabel Addo
Reporter: Dorothy Frances Ward, GNA
[email protected]