Where are the funds for MARP activities going?

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written by: Prince Kweku MacDonald,

Critical observation within Ghanaian society and among Most-at Risk Populations (MARPs) shows that there is no activity going on in their community. For instance, a recent visit to the National Association of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS head office in Accra proves that funding for MARPs is not being used effectively in the target community. In fact, it seems as though it is a means to allow HIV-negative men and women to enrich themselves whilst the majority of MARPs, namely HIV-positive men and women, continue to suffer unaided with the illness. While some HIV-positive people cannot afford the price of anti-retroviral drugs, other funds recipients are riding in luxurious 4 wheel drives, raising questions as to how funds are being spent.

Condoms and lubricants that help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS among these groups are also being sold, though there is funding allocated for the purchase of these commodities by Global Fund and USAID to be distributed freely to most at risk populations. Care must be taken in hiring people to manage funds meant for MARPs. The people managing such funds should have a link to the target population. For example, hiring a person living with the virus to manage the funding for HIV-positive groups will help ensure that the right people and groups receive the necessary funds.

Hiring an MSM to implement programs for the MSM community will guarantee effective implementation of the programs and quality results. There is little to no accountability in terms of where the funds are being spent. This must be looked into by the necessary bodies before the situation gets out of hand.


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