Norsaac NGO Launches "Star Project"

Ghana: Norsaac NGO Launches "Star Project"

Ghanaian Chronicle (Accra)

2 August 2007

Edmond Gyebi
Bupei

In complementing Ghana's fight against the deadly HIV/AIDS, the Northern Sector Action on Awareness Centre (NORSAAC) with support from Action Aid International, Ghana has inaugurated six community volunteer clubs at Bupei in the Central Gonja District to carry out intensive campaign and education on the disease.

The Clubs known as "the Stars" are also expected to educate the communities on Conflict Resolution and Management to minimize the ever-growing conflicts emanating from chieftaincy disputes and land litigations across the region.

The Clubs will operate in Yapei, Bupei, Kusawgu, Fufulso, Sankpala and Domeabra all in the Central Gonja District.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Associate Director of NORSAAC, Mr. Mohammed Alhassan Awal said the introduction of the Star Project was one of the social responsibilities of his outfit to ensuring maximum understanding of the people on some pertinent issues that affect their lives.

NORSAAC is one of the premier NGOs in the Northern Region interested in women empowerment, capacity building, skill training and promotion of women participation in good governance or decision-making processes.

Mr. Mohammed Awal who attributed the achievements of his organization to the continue support from Action Aid International Ghana, therefore challenged members of the clubs to go all out without any discrimination in the discharge of their duties.

According to him, though NORSAAC and Action Aid have plans of extending the Star Project to the other districts across the region, the performances of the six newly inaugurated Clubs will determine the final decision.

Mr. Anaaba K. Nabila, the Senior Programme Manager of Action Aid in Charge of HIV/AIDS and Women's Rights called on all district assemblies in the region to collaborate with the NGOs and the CBOs to comprehensively support the persons living with HIV/AIDS so as to prevent the spread of the disease.

According to him, surest way of reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS is for to government and the Ministry of Health to strictly ensure that HIV positive pregnant women are given adequate drugs to avoid mother to child transmission.

Mr. Anaaba was particularly worried about the stigmatization and violation of rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS some of whom he indicated are sometimes denied food and proper shelter by their communities.

He was of the conviction that the formation of the Star Clubs by NORSAAC and Action Aid Ghana in the communities will reverse the appalling treatment and perceptions societies have about persons with HIV/AIDS.

However, each of the clubs was provided with logistics that would enhance their operations, which include bicycles, touch lights, batteries, condoms, notebooks, handbags, lanterns and benches among others.

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