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Ghana: Cardinal calls for cheap HIV drugs rather than condoms for Africa


Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson

The money used on condoms in Africa would be better spent providing anti-retroviral drugs to those already infected, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana has said.

Cardinal Turkson who is the relator-general of the Second African Synod said at a conference that the quality of condoms in Africa is poor and engenders false confidence.

"I would basically wish that if the amount of resources available for the production of condoms, were spent to subsidize the anti-retroviral drugs, I think we would be happier, in Africa," said Cardinal Turkson.

The 60 year old archbishop of Cape Coast said that condoms are effective only in families where they resolve also to be faithful. "The ordinary use of condoms, to stop Aids, is not very effective" the cardinal said.

The Cardinal said the condoms sold in Africa were often of a very poor quality rubber that often did not survive very long in humid and hot tropical conditions. Using them, he said, gave poor people "a false sense of security which rather facilitates the spread of HIV/Aids".

He called for abstinence and fidelity saying they are the key to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, along with refraining from sex if infected.

Source: CISA



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