US signs grant agreement with NGOs and communities

Accra, Sept 9, GNA - The United States on Thursday signed about 97, 365 dollar grant agreements with 15 communities and nine non-governmental organisations (NGO) in Accra.

The grants, which were made from two US programmes, the Special Self-Help Programme (SSHP) and the Democratic Human Rights Programme ( DHRP), were aimed at promoting the empowerment of the communities and to support democracy and good governance.

The beneficiary communities under the SSHP are Nkrankrom Food Processing Centre, Brong Ahafo Region, 3, 500 dollars; Koforidua Muslim Community Library Project, 2000 dollars and Kibi Methodist Junior Secondary School classroom block project, 2,579 dollars.

The others are; Asutuare Co-operative Agro Processing and Marketing Society Limited, 2000 dollars; Vane Textile Training Centre, Volta Region, 4,000 dollars; Aveyime Development Association Project, Volta Region, 2,828 dollars; Sekyere Abrodzewuram Unit Committee, Western Region, 4,500 dollars and Twedie Town Development Committee, 3,000 dollars.

The rest are Concerned Citizens Association of Ghana, Sunyani, 3,000 dollars; Bompata Health Committee, 3,500 dollars; Abotareye Women Group, Brong Ahafo, 3,000 dollars; Agona Nsaba Methodist School Parents/Teachers' Association, 3,000; Physically Challenged Society, Twifo Praso, Central Region, 2, 000 dollars; Susana Wesley Mission Auxiliary Skills Training Centre Ga District, 4,000 dollars and Pepease Unit Committee, 1, 658 dollars.

Nine NGOs, which benefited under the DHRP, are Support for Community Mobilisation Project, Western Region, 2,900 dollars; Islamic Foundation for Peace and Development, Greater Accra Region, 3,900 dollars; Ghana Committee on Human and People's Rights, 3,900 dollars; Brekum Civic Union, 5,000 dollars and Women in Broadcasting, 6,100 dollars.

The rest are International Federation of Women Lawyers, Ghana, 6,400 dollars; Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action, 6,500 dollars; Women's Assistance Business Association, 9,000 dollars and Zingaro Productions, 9,100 dollars.

Ms Mary Carlin Yates, US Ambassador to Ghana, who signed for her country, said the SSHP was initiated by the US government to bring relief to deprived communities through the provision of schools, health centres, vocational training and improvement in sanitation.

"Some of the projects receiving funding from the Special Self-Health Program included school blocks, a community bakery project, and health clinics."

She said the US Embassy considered proposals that supported democracy and good governance, protection and advocacy of human rights under the DHRP before releasing funds for applicants. Representatives of the beneficiaries initialled for their communities and NGOs