USAID to support PPAG community based service

Offinso (Ash), May 6, GNA--The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has approved 1.2 million dollars in support of community based service programmes of Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) in the country.

The programmes, which are the initiative of the PPAG, are focused on the provision of services and education on sexual and reproductive health issues in all communities in the country.

Dr Frank Young, Country Director of the USAID, announced this at the 33rd annual general meeting of the PPAG held at Offinso in Ashanti on Friday under the theme "The role of traditional rulers in the fight against HIV/AIDS." He said funding which will cover a period of two years would be committed to the training of service delivery agents to enable them to properly carry out education of people on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Dr Young said the assistance granted the PPAG by USAID is in acknowledgement of the serious concerns and practical demonstration of the PPAG towards bringing education and services to the doorsteps of the people. He said Ghana estimates an HIV prevalence of a figure close to 5.0 per cent while some areas in the country have already recorded rates above 10 per cent.

Dr Young described this as critical and gave the assurance that the USAID will continue to support the government in policy development and training to improve management of AIDS and other STDs.

Mr Samuel Nuamah-Donkor, Ashanti Regional Minister, asked district assemblies to incorporate estimates for HIV/AIDS programmes in their annual budgetary allocations to enable them provide adequate funds for the fight against the spread of the disease.

Mr Nuamah-Donkor said votes in such budgetary allocations should be used in supporting initiatives of the Ministry of Health, traditional authorities and Non-Governmental Agencies. The Regional Minister commended the PPAG for not confining its programmes to only women who have been the main target since the inception of the family planning programme but also extending it to cover men.

Mr Nuamah-Donkor said the PPAG's initiative to start with the operation of a male-only clinic in Kumasi is an ample demonstration of its commitment to reach out to men on sexual reproductive health issues.

Mr Justice G.K. Acquah, national president of the PPAG, appealed to traditional rulers, who he described as gatekeepers, to use their influence to help enlighten people in their communities on the need to live upright lives so as to avoid contracting the AIDS.

Mr Justice Acquah said already the PPAG had intensified its community based service in sexual and reproductive health in eight districts of the country and praised the traditional rulers for co-operating with the association to execute the programme.

Nana Wiafe Akenten the III, Offinsohene, who presided, said the Asantehene had already shown the way by initiating moves to help combat the disease in the region. He therefore called on all chiefs within his jurisdiction and Asanteman to co-operate with the Asantehene and agencies already at the forefront of fighting AIDS.