Nkoranza (B/A) June 1 GNA - Mr Solomon Obeng Danquah, Nkoranza District HIV/AIDS Focal Person has advised Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) not to solely rely on financial support from the Ghana AIDS Response Fund (GARFUND) in carrying out their activities. He said they must be development-oriented and innovative enough to devise appropriate measures to maintain their growth and to combat the spread of the pandemic.

Mr Danquah was addressing about 20 HIV/AIDS Community Volunteers drawn from six communities in the District at a day's workshop on the causes and effects of the pandemic.

The volunteers were from Senya, Domeabra, Boabeng, Bonte, Bomiri and Akrudwa Number Two.

The workshop, organised by "Hope Association" at Nkoranza, made up of persons living with HIV/AIDS, was aimed at encouraging the participants to register other victims to join the Association and to help control its spread.

Mr Danquah announced that new contracts would be signed between CBOS in the District and the Nkoranza District Assembly next year after the institution of the National Strategic Framework. He explained that under the framework, only CBOs and NGOs with approved track records would benefit from support funds to enhance their activities.

The Focal Person said HIV/AIDS education programme should continue unabated and urged volunteers to intensify efforts to help to prevent the pandemic from spreading in the communities. Mr Joe Amponsah, Project Coordinator of the Association, advised the public to desist from discriminating against persons living with HIV/AIDS as every one was at risk. 1 June 05