Wa (Upper West) - Many Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) engaged in HIV/AIDS programmes in the Wa District are reported not to have adhered to the implementation plans of the Ghana AIDS Responsive Fund (GARFUND).

The CBOs are alleged to have misapplied funds to other health related programmes and they do not keep proper records of their programme thereby making it difficult for the District Assembly to monitor their activities.

William Niyuni, Wa District Focal Person on HIV/AIDS, said this during the first quarterly review meeting of CBOs involved in anti HIV/AIDS activities at Wa on Thursday.

About 50 participants from 44 registered CBOs in the district and other personnel engaged in HIV/AIDS education programmes, attended the meeting.

Niyuni warned the participants against embezzlements and misapplication of HIV/AIDS funds. He called for proper co-ordination between implementing agencies to avoid duplication of work and ensure judicious use of resources.

Humphery B. Naabo, Wa District Co-ordinating Director, said the Wa District Assembly this year received 125m cedis from the Ghana AIDS Commission to be disbursed to CBOs that applied for funding in 2002.

He said the Assembly would penalise any CBO that misappropriated the GARFUND and appealed to them to make judicious use of funds released to them.