The Ghana Aids Commission has released ?225 million to the Wenchi District Assembly to support its HIV/AIDS camping programmes. Out of the amounts, ?125million would be allotted to the community Based Organizations (CBOs) in the district, with the District Response Initiative Programme also benefiting from ?100 million.

Mr. Dickson Boachie, the District HIV/AIDS Programme Co-ordinator, disclosed these at the launching of Resource Link Foundation HIV/AIDS prevention programme, here at the weekend.

It was under the theme: “Prevention HIV/AIDS for sustainable development”.

The foundation, the first to be inaugurated in the Banda community of the district as a non-government organization (NGO) aimed, among others, at facilitating development through education in the form of information technology, establishment of libraries, health in the area of HIV/AIDS and issues as well as rural related diseases.

Mr. Boachie cautioned CBOs and NGOs, which have benefited from the financial package of the Ghana AIDS Commission to ensure that they use the money for its intended purposes as they would be held responsible for misappropriation.

He expressed concern that in spite of the numerous awareness creation of the disease, the prevalent rate was still high in some parts of the region and the country as a whole. According to him, it was for stakeholders to double their efforts in combating the spread of the deadly disease.

Mr. Salia Alhassan, the Executive Director of the foundation observed that any HIV/AIDS related illness was attributed to witchcraft and juju in some rural areas and dismissed the wrong notion, saying, “AIDS is real and we should see it as an enemy in development”.

He realized that HIV/AIDS, poverty and development had chain reactions in human life and said “it is very timely to stage this preventive programme which can help reduce poverty and save much resource for progress”.

Mr. Alhassan called on the traditional rulers in the Banda Community to give peace a chance to enable the foundation achieve its aim of eliminating the HIV/AIDS canker as well as improving living standard.

The Executive Director said the foundation would be committed to its objectives in collaborating with all stakeholders and build genuine partnerships with district assemblies and other governmental agencies, local communities to take aggressive approach to prevent the canker from spreading.

Osabarima Okokyeredom Nana Kwadwo Tsito, Omanhene of Banda Traditional Area, commended the Ghana AIDS Commission for the financial support to the foundation in its campaign programme.

He hoped that the government would continue to support the worthwhile programme to wage war on the disease.