Elmina, Feb 06, GNA - The government has secured a 20 million-dollar loan from the World Bank to implement a Multi-Sectoral HIV/AIDS Programme (MSHAP).

Funds for the programme, which forms the second phase of the government's efforts in combating the pandemic, would be disbursed to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through the district assemblies with the regional coordinating councils playing monitoring roles. Mr Isaac Edumadze, the Central Regional Minister, said this at a day's conference organised by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) for regional and district monitoring and evaluation focal persons on HIV/AIDS at Elmina.

It was on the theme "working actively and in partnership to combat HIV/AIDS."

Mr Edumadze commended the GAC and its collaborating partners for working hard to reduce the rate of infection from 3.6 to 3.1 percent and cautioned the participants, whom he described as the "pivot" for HIV/AIDS programmes, against complacency when the MSHAP is implemented. He also expressed satisfaction at the judicious use of funds by beneficiaries of the Ghana AIDS Response Funds (GARFUND) and said that was made possible through effective monitoring by the GAC. Mr Edumadze commended funding partners of HIV/AIDS programmes in the country and asked for more support to stem the spread of the virus. Nana Amba Eyiaba II, Krontihemaa of Oguaa Traditional Area, expressed concern about the high mortality rate of children with HIV/AIDS and called for concrete measures to protect children and babies.