Australian High Commissioner launches Direct Aid Programme

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By
Iddi Yire, GNA

Accra, Feb. 18, GNA
– Mr Andrew Barnes, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, on Tuesday
launched the 2019/20 Direct Aid Programme (DAP), a small grants programme,
funded from Australia’s aid budget.

Mr Barnes said this
year; the programme will support ten projects in Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Mali
and Sierra Leone; adding that six of the projects were located in Ghana.

“We look forward to
working with you on these projects and to achieving many positive outcomes
together for the benefit of targeted communities and the countless individuals
who are counting on us,” he said.

He noted that about
400,000 Australian Dollars had been voted for the 2019/20 DAP project, of which
about 300,000 Australian Dollars was going to Ghana.

Some ongoing DAP
projects in Ghana include the construction of a public place of convenience for
cured lepers in Ho, the renovation of the VIP Ward at the Accra Psychiatric
Hospital and the provision of mechanised boreholes in Bawku.

Mr Barnes said the
High Commission was very pleased that through the DAP, they were able to
support the provision of many life-transforming interventions for some of
society’s most vulnerable people – rural communities, children, women and
people with disabilities.

Mr Barnes said since
the commencement of the DAP in 2004, the collection of success stories and
transformed lives continue to grow across their nine countries of accreditation
in West Africa.

“We funded and
supported the delivery of quality projects that have empowered people, and
brought hope and smiles to many,” he said.

Dr Yaw Arthur of the
Accra Psychiatric Hospital, who lauded the Australian Government for coming to
their aid, noted that the ongoing refurbishment of the VIP Ward of the
Hospital, when completed, would go a long way to ensure that patients’
therapeutic expectations would be meet.

He said the High
Commission’s record of success in supporting Australia’s aid programme could be
largely attributed to the strong partnership they share with local
organisations.

DAP has the
flexibility to work with local communities in developing countries on projects
that reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development consistent with
Australia’s national interest.

The programme aims
to advance development outcomes through projects primarily focused on practical
and tangible results and this may include projects, which support good
governance, human rights and those with a strong advocacy component.

It cover a range of
sectors such as education, health, water and sanitation, environmental
protection, women’s empowerment and gender equality, supporting people with
disabilities, economic livelihoods, food security and human rights.

DAP projects engage
a wide range of partners including community groups, non-government
organisations, educational institutions and local governments.

The Australian High
Commission no longer accepts unsolicited applications or runs an open round for
the Direct Aid Programme, but works with trusted partners to deliver
developmental and/or humanitarian outcomes for local communities in Ghana,
Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone and
Togo.

GNA