The Australian government has approved GH¢1.060million in financial assistance to 12 Ghanaian organisations and four other non-governmental organisations in Mali, Sierra Leone and Liberia for its development grants programme in the 2011 financial year.
This represents the largest annual amount of funding provided by Australia to its grants programme in Ghana and West Africa since the Mission was re-opened in 2004.
The beneficiary non-governmental organisations are expected to undertake projects in the areas of education, solar energy, health, sanitation and the provision of potable water, refurbishment of school buildings, skills training and human rights advocacy.
William (Billy) Williams, the Australian High Commissioner in Ghana, made this known in Accra at a ceremony to present the cheques to representatives of the various beneficiary institutions.
He reiterated the Australian government’s pledge to deepen its commitment to Africa through development assistance and financial aid towards community development and poverty reduction.
“This reflects Australia’s commitment to broadening and deepening engagement with Africa across a full spectrum of issues, including enhancing trade and commercial investments, strengthened diplomatic links, and increased development assistance.”
Mr. Williams said: “Other areas of assistance which Australia will be extending to Africa will help build Africa’s human resource capacity through an expanded scholarships programme in areas of Australian expertise - such as agriculture, natural resource management, water and health, trade policy and economic governance.
“It is my pleasure to hand over these cheques to the beneficiary organizations, and I hope the projects will be implemented properly.
“The High Commission is partnering those selected organisations who have successfully gone through a rigorous and competitive process to implement these development projects which will benefit communities throughout the country.’’
He disclosed that vigorous monitoring systems will be employed to ensure successful implementation of the project to promote community development and improve the lives of the underprivileged in the communities.
Australia is also funding projects this year through the Australia-Africa Community Grants Scheme and the Australian Human Grants Scheme.
Australia in 2009-10 increased its development assistance to Africa by over 40 percent to A$163.9million, and in 2010-11 an overall development assistance to Africa was also increased by over 20 percent to A$200.9 million.
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