Ghana AIDS Commission denies diverting funds

The Ghana AIDS Commission has denied diverting funds to a wrong account.

The Director of Policy and Planning of the Commission, Dr Joseph Kwadwo Amuzu, said the Commission has kept books of accounts and proper records of its transactions.

He explained that the Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council provided the Commission with a wrong account number for a transaction and the Commission should not be blamed.

Reacting to media reports, Dr Amuzu also denied that donors are withdrawing their support to the Commission due to improper keeping of books of accounts.

The Director of Policy and Planning explained that donors have their specific grant management conditions before releasing grants.

According to him, key among them is the design, implementation and maintenance of adequate accounting and internal control systems in accordance with the relevant statutes and international standards.

Dr Amuzu mentioned that various donors have their monitoring and inspection agencies as well as external auditors who regularly visit the Commission to ensure strict adherence to reporting standards.

He said Ghana’s success in the HIV and AIDS response had become a shining example to the world and must not be destroyed by misleading and inaccurate media reportage.

“Our nation is cited as one with the highest reduction rate of 76 per cent of mother to child transmission of HIV. It is significant to note that Ghana’s epidemic has over the last five years (2008-2013) experienced a steady decline from 3.6 per cent in 2003 to 1.5 per cent in 2010 and 2011 to 1.37 per cent 2012,” Dr Amuzu said.