THE Ghana AIDS Commission is to provide ?250 million to the Narcotics Control Board in support of the board?s alternative development scheme.

Under the scheme, Indian hemp cultivators are to be encouraged to grow other crops or engage in activities other than the cultivation of marijuana. The Ghana AIDS Commission is supporting the scheme because of the correlation between drug abuse and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. It has also been established that people who abuse drugs are more promiscuous and do not take any precaution.

Incidentally, the theme for this year?s World Drug Day activities was ?Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS.?

An agreement for the provision of the amount was signed last week between the Ghana AIDS Commission and the Narcotics Control Board.

Essam, a major Indian hemp cultivating community in the Birim South District of the Eastern Region, is to kick-start the scheme. Col Isaac Akuoku (rtd), Executive Secretary of the board, who disclosed this in an interview, said a meeting is to be held at the end of the month with the chiefs and elders of Essam to facilitate the commencement of the scheme.

He said identified Indian hemp farmers will be adequately compensated while seed capital will be given to them to cultivate crops of their choice.

The executive secretary said the level of compensation will depend on the acreage of the present farms of those who will take advantage of the scheme. Col Akuoku said those to be identified will also be bonded not to cultivate Indian hemp again to ensure the sustainability of the scheme.

He said the farmers will be assisted to market their produce and also provided immunity against prosecution.

According to him, the introduction of the alternative income scheme for the ?wee? farmers is part of measures to control the drug trade. He said the board will also explore ways to add more value to the crops that will be cultivated by the farmers.

According to Col Akuoku, the scheme will be replicated in other areas after an assessment of the Essam project.

In the past few years, Ghana has been identified as a major source of Indian hemp exports to Europe and a transit point for heroin and cocaine. Col Akuoku said the use of alternative development is now being encouraged the world over so that farmers can earn genuine money without being harassed by security agencies.