Multi-sectoral workshop for HIV/AIDS volunteers

Nkoranza (B/A), Oct. 2, GNA - Mr. Hayford Kyere, Nkoranza District Focal Person of the HIV-AIDS campaign programme has urged Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) entrusted with educational campaigns in the communities to do well to render proper accounts on the funds offered them by the Ghana Aids Commission in order that they would continue to receive more support and to enhance their activities.

Mr. Kyere was addressing about 20 HIV/AIDS education volunteers from selected communities in Nkoranza at a day's workshop organised for them at Nkoranza on Friday and which was aimed at educating them on the procurement and accounting principles for assessing the multi sectoral HIV/AIDS programme (MSHAP) funds.

He expressed concern about how a number of CBOs and NGOs could not render better accounts on the funds they received for their programmes and as a result of which only a few have been considered and supported to continue with their activities this year.

Seven (7) out of the twenty-five (25) CBOs which operated last year in Nkoranza District have been considered to carry out with their programmes this year.

Mr. Kyere therefore stressed the need for the seven beneficiaries not to joke with the funds and the activities they are expected to carry out in the communities as their good works would be a testimonial for them to be selected among the outstanding CBOs in the communities.

A sentinel survey report from the Ghana Health Service has disclosed that in the year 2004, the prevalence rate was 3.1 per cent and it has come down to 2.7 per cent as the 2005 record would reveal, and this is down by 13 per cent.

In the regions, Eastern Region is leading and at a rate of 4.7 per cent, followed by Brong Ahafo also at 3.3 per cent and the least rate of 1.2 per cent was recorded from the Northern Region.

Reports from Brong Ahafo also indicate that Sunyani is at the top and at 4.7 per cent, Kintampo 3.2 per cent, Wenchi also 3. 2 per cent and Asunafo at 1.8 per cent rate.

Mr. Kyere disclosed the prevalence rate as by age group as; between 25-29 years, 3.6 per cent, 45-49 years, 5 per cent, 15-24 years, 1.9 per cent and 15-19 years, 0.8 per cent and said it was very interesting that the reduction rate among the youth was encouraging.

Mr. Amadu Issah, an Accounts Clerk at the Nkoranza District Finance Office and a resource person at the workshop advised the participants to keep accurate record on all finances with regard to the MSHAP funds in order that they would be able to account for them efectively. Mr. Issah reminded them of the importance of invoices and receipts that would explain to the auditors who would check on them. He urged them to use the funds according to the guildelines given them and that any fund should be spent should go into a planned activity of their organisation and for an HIV/AIDS programme.

He also called on them to solicit advice and assistance from the finance office towards their activities so as to keep proper accounts and they would free themselves against mismanagement or an embezzlement which could tanish their image. 22 Oct. 06