Sunyani, Aug.10, GNA - Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister at the weekend called for the judicious use of funds provided for the care and attention of victims HIV/AIDS and halt its spread. He urged non-governmental (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) that had benefited from the GARFUND not to misuse or misapply the funds, expressing regret that some of these organizations had not been able to account for monies given to them.

"This is very disturbing because HIV/AIDS is spreading like wildfire and every cedi intended for its eradication must be used judiciously".

Nana Seinti said this in an address read for him at the launch of a platform for NGOs and CBOs on HIV/AIDS by the Brong Ahafo Network of NGOs (BANGO) in Sunyani under the theme, "Enhancing the capacities of Brong Ahafo NGOs/CBOs for effective campaign in the fight against HIV/AIDS".

The platform would provide the organizations the opportunity to meet regularly to examine activities, share experiences, exchange information and build upon their capacities.

He appealed to the beneficiary organizations "to think about the suffering and agony that people living with AIDS are going through and ensure that they get the care and attention they need at such trying moments of their lives".

"This is the time we need to show our love and compassion for them. It is therefore, heart warming to note that Government is working feverishly to facilitate the local production of some key anti-retroviral drugs, to bring some relief to our suffering brothers and sisters," the Regional Minister added.

Nana Seinti expressed the hope that the platform would give members of the organizations the opportunity to know their areas of operation and to make use of available human, material and financial resources for effective service delivery.

In a welcoming address, Mr Kobina Afena-Sam, Regional Co-ordinator of BANGO said the platform was created to ensure that funds released to NGOs and CBOs in the region were put to good use for the intended purpose.

This platform, is thus to provide the organisations the chance to meet regularly to compare notes, a meeting point to share information, experiences, to discuss challenges and to collaborate to achieve a successful campaign in the region, he said.

The Co-ordinator said the platform would also afford them the opportunity of knowing the CBOs and NGOs undertaking the HIV/AIDS campaign in the region and to keep track of their activities.

Mr Afena-Sam appealed to the Regional Co-ordinating Council, District Assemblies, Regional Health Service and particularly, focal persons to work closely with the platform through BANGO to ensure that all organisations join the platform for a successful campaign against the pandemic.