Communities Make the Difference, Help End AIDS-#WAD19
After months of intense planning, this year's World AIDS Day (WAD) was held at the Ghana Trades fair here in Accra on Sunday 1st December,2019. The Durber was graced by lots of dignitaries; From the security services, members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, etc. In attendance was Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare (Chief of Staff- Presidency), Ms. Angela Trenton-Mbonde (Country Director-UNAIDS), Stephanie Sanders Sullivan (US Ambassador to Ghana), His Majesty DF Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI (Osu Mantse), Hon. Cecilia Dapaah (Chairperson-GAC Governing Board), Kyeremeh Atuahene (Director General -GAC), Dr. Ayisi Addo (Program Manager-NACP), Bransford Yeboah Acting President NAP+. Hon Benard Oko-Boye MP (Rep. Parliamentary Committee on Health etc.
Hon. Akosua Frema Osei-Opare (Chief of State at the Presidency) in her opening statement mentioned that “Government recognizes the widening funding gaps in HIV program and co-financing obligation and has made adequate provisions for the fight against HIV/AIDS in the 2020 Budget.”
The gaps she mentioned will be fully addressed through also the operationalization of the National HIV/AIDS fund, established through the ACT of Parliament, The GAC ACT 2016; ACT 938. Government through the Attorney General and with GAC has ensured a speedy development of the legislative instrument required to regulate essential provisions in ACT 938. It is expected she mentioned, that these regulations will be passed by the current session parliament to usher in the operationalization of the National HIV/AIDS FUND to ensure a constant flow of domestic funding for the HIV and AIDS response Programs.
She called on well-endowed state enterprises, the private sector, philanthropies and well-meaning Ghanaians to joins forces with the government in resourcing and sustaining the National HIV/AIDS fund once it becomes operationalized.