Accra, Jan. 22, GNA - The Australian High Commission has approved financial assistance for 29 Ghanaian organisations and two others in Mali= and Sierra Leone under its developments grant programme for the 2009/2010= fiscal year.

The 555,677-dollar grant, which represents the largest amount of funding provided by the Commission to Ghana since 2004, is expected to empower people living in deprived communities.

Mr. William Williams, Australian High Commissioner, who presented t= he cheques to the beneficiaries in Accra on Friday, said the assistance reflected the partnership and deep rooted relationship that existed betwe= en the two countries.

"This reflects Australia's commitment to broadening and deepening engagements with Africa across a spectrum of issues including enhanced tr= ade and commercial investments, strengthened diplomatic links and increased development assistance," he said.

He announced that the country had increased its development assista= nce to Africa by more than 40 per cent to 163.9 million Australian dollars in= 2009/2010. Mr. Williams said the grants project, namely the Direct Aid Program= me, Africa Regional Small Activities Scheme and the Australian Human Rights Small Grants Scheme would be in areas such as education, solar energy, provision of street lights, health, sanitation, assistance to women co-operatives and human rights advocacy groups.

"We are partnering selected number of Ghanaian organisations who ha= ve successfully gone through a rigorous and competitive process to implement= these development projects," he said.

Mr. Benjamin Ofosu Hene, Executive Director of Hope In Christ Physically Challenged, a Tema-based NGO who received a cheque for GH¢9,600 told the Ghana News Agency that it would be used to buy more equipment to= increase the organisation's training programmes.

He expressed gratitude to the Commission and hoped that their increased training and religious programmes would empower most physically=

challenged individuals in Tema Metropolis and beyond to keep them off the=

streets. Mr. Frank Ebo Mensah, Project Consultant for the NGO said the organisation provided skills and training programmes for the disadvantage= d in society in shoe-making, tie-dye making and tailoring. He said the facility had more than 200 enrolment with other beneficiaries across the regions. Mr. Mensah said the grant was the highest amount the organisation h= ad received since its establishment in 2003 and pledged management's commitm= ent towards using the funds judiciously. 22 Jan. 10