Ashesi laughs to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS

A day without laughter is a day wasted because laughter, they say, is cheap medicine. The more you laugh, the healthier you become. Research has illustrated the many health benefits of laughter. Thank God it is Laughter Day!

On Friday 1st October 2010, the Health Centre, Ashesi Peer Educators group – with support from Family Health International (FHI) – put together a series of events to mark the first ever Ashesi Laughter Day.

During the day, student volunteers including some peer educators distributed de-wormer tablets, educative pamphlets, chocolates, handkerchiefs to students, staff and faculty of Ashesi to put smiles on their faces. Funny jokes were sent via intranet and funny images were posted all over campus for passers-by to capture the essence of the day.

The day was crowned with a comedy night show that attracted about 250 Ashesi students, faculty and staff and other invited guests.

Ashesi’s very own Philip Lawer Alimo (C2012) and Ilerioluwa Olufemi Akinkugbe (C2011) a.k.a. Ileri were the co-MCs for the show.

The highlight of the night featured a guest performance from David Oscar of Viasat 1 ‘Laugh a Minute’ fame. His jokes were relevant and very funny. By the time he was through with us, there was continuous vibrant laughter in the air and everywhere. Everyone had caught the laughing fever and no doubt, everyone’s lifespan had also increased significantly due to excessive laughing!

David also used the opportunity to advocate positive sexual behavior among the Ashesi youth. The purpose of the comedy night was not only to get the Ashesi Community laughing but also to educate them on the prevention of STDs (HIV /AIDS) and ultimately to promote positive sexual health. For this reason, there was also a condom-use demonstration session that was delivered by the University Nurse Administrator, Sharon Rominiyi with support from one of the peer educators.

Captivating Playlets on HIV/AIDS and its devastating ripple effect in the society were delivered by Ms. Quaynor-Mettle and Nana Konadu Darko Mensah (C2013). There was also a brief poetic and creative delivery of the pathophysiology of HIV/AIDS by Diana Dayaka Osei (2012).

We had a fantastic musical performance from three (3) students of the class of 2012; namely, Derrick Crentsil on the keyboard, Ato Addei Mensah and Prince Addoquaye Acquaye on the vocals.

Ashesi’s Human Resource Manager, Alex Baah Inkoom, delivered an interesting presentation on how to read all the books in the library in one week. Two students from the class of 2013 tried out their comedy skills and did manage to get people laughing. Two other guest comedians dressed as clowns also performed to the amusement of the gathered audience. It was simply intriguing.

Overall, the programme ran quite smoothly and the participants enjoyed the refreshments at the end. President of the peer educators, Sydney Oduro (C2013), gave the Vote of Thanks.

Keep Smiling; yes, smile all the way to the end of the year.