OFID Governing Board release grant assistance

Accra, May 23, GNA. - The governing board of the OPEC Fund for International Development has release 7.3 million dollars in grant assistance towards development projects in Ghana and other countries.

The 10 beneficiary countries are to use the grant in support of OFID/IDLO Joint Programme on Legal Reform to More Effectively Manage HIV/AIDs.

A Press Release from OFID said the countries are Ghana, China, Benin, Egypt, Guantemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Nepal, Paupa Guinea and Senegal.

It said the objective of the programme was to strengthen the legal framework and institutional capacity of legal professionals to enable them to take an active role in the fight against the disease. "This will, in turn, help safeguard the rights of HIV-affected individuals, improve enforcement of laws consistent with public health goals and contribute to the global discussions of best practices relating to law and health", it added The Release said 3.5 million dollars would co-finance an OFID/UNESCO Partnership for Comprehensive Education Sector Responses to HIV/AIDS in East and Southern Africa. Furthermore, 1.5 million dollars from the OFID Special Grant Account would go to Palestine to help improve quality of life for the Palestinians in Jerusalem. 23 May 09