Some Anti-Aids Campaign Organisations misuse Funds - Minister

Bolgatanga, June 26, GNA - Mr. Mark Woyongo, Upper East Regional Minister, on Wednesday noted that some Civil Society Organisations involved in the campaign against HIV/AIDS and funded by the Ghana Aids Commission were not using the funds given them for the intended purposes.

This he said it would not help control the spread of the disease and enjoined such organizations to be transparent in disbursing funds and ensure that the programmes they planned were carried out efficiently.

The Minister said this at a sensitization workshop on disaster management organized by ActionAid Ghana, for stakeholders in HIV/AIDS prevention, in Bolgatanga.

He appealed to Radio stations in the region to dedicate 10 minutes of their air time each day to a talk on HIV/AIDS, especially on stigmatization as it had proven to be disturbing and caused people to avoid seeking medical help.

Mr. Kofi Ayamga, Programme Officer on HIV/AIDS of the Catholic Diocesan Development Office, expressed concern at the rate at which HIV infected persons were getting pregnant and wondered if their men were also infected by the virus.

He disclosed that some junior High School pupils were infected and appealed to all organizations involved in the campaign against the disease to intensify their work so as to reach the young people. Mr. Michael Lumor, Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid suggested that the Regional Coordinating Council strengthen its support for stakeholders, establish a conflict reduction fund, institutionalize conflict risk reduction in the Bawku Municipal Assembly and initiate plans, budgets and conflict sensitive programmes to enhance the Bawku peace initiative.