Ghana receives 20 million dollars credit to fight HIV/AIDS

The west African state of Ghana has received an International Development Association (IDA) credit of 20 million US dollars for its fight against HIV/AIDS.

The World Bank said in a statement made available on Wednesday that its Board of Executive Directors had approved the credit to assist the government's Multi-Sectoral HIV/AIDS program, which is being funded as a follow-up to the IDA-financed Ghana Aids Response Fund project.

In accordance with IDA standard terms, the credit is provided with a commitment fee of 0.35 percent, a service charge of 0.75 percent over a 40 year period of maturity which includes a 10-year grace period.

"Its aim is to maintain infection rates at current levels among vulnerable groups and curb further spread of HIV/AIDS among the general population," the statement said.

"It is also aimed at mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the health and socio-economic systems, as well as on the infected and affected persons by promoting healthy life-styles, especially in the area of sexual and reproductive health," it added.

Source: Xinhua