Ghana

The Ghana Aids Commission (GAC) has signed a loan agreement with its development partners in the implementation of the 2009 HIV and AIDS Annual Work Plan and Response Programme.

The agreement is the outcome of a decision they accede to at an annual partnership meeting last month. The loan which is in the tune of $ 49 million dollars is expected to provide financial and technical support assistance in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  

The Development Agencies include the World Food Programme(WFP),World Health Organisation(WHO), Netherlands Embassy, United Nations, United  States International Development and Japanese Embassy.

Signing the agreement on behalf of the Ghana AIDS Commission, the Presidential Advisor on Reproductive Health and HIV and AIDS, Prof F T Sai, observed that the government recognises the efforts of development agencies in assisting the GAC in combating the pandemic. He noted that government will continue to collaborate with the agencies implementing a national plan agenda.

Prof Sai suggested to the development partners to recruit officers at the district level to explain national policies concerning the HIV and AIDS to the local people. He commended them and said the loan facility will go a long way to reduce the prevalence rate in the country.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana, Mr Duoda Toure who signed on behalf of the Development Partners, urged the GAC and its stakeholders to focus on the core role of coordination including policy planning, advocacy and resource mobilisation.

Mr Toure noted that there is the need to strengthen collaboration with the Ministries and the Private Sector Agencies in order to scale up priority interventions to sustain the national response agenda.

He assured the GAC that the development partners will be fully committed with the implementation of the HIV and AIDS 2009 annual plan work.

The Director-General of the Ghana Aids Commission, Professor Sakyi Awuku Amoa, said the disease is stabilising with the prevalent rate reaching 1.9 percent noting that the situation poses a challenge to the commission as well as the government.

Updated: 22nd December 2008