Abuse and corruption scandal among AIDS workers in Ghana

The leaders of a Ghanaian aid organization for people living with HIV and AIDS have been guilty of sexual abuse and corruption. This was announced by the Global Fund, the international fund that subsidizes the Ghanaian organization.

The Global Fund investigated the case after reports of abuse within the NAP + Ghana organization. He showed that executives were abusing their power and perpetuating a culture of sexual and financial exploitation, he said. a report (.pdf).

“Several executives have demanded that patients commit sexual acts or pay bribes in exchange for favors,” the researchers write. They draw their conclusion on the basis, among other things, of dozens of testimonies.

“Disgusted”

The abuses took place between 2010 and 2019 and there were said to have been at least ten perpetrators. The report contains a response from five of them. One person admits guilt for corruption, other allegations are all contradicted.

The director of Sands of the Global Fund calls this behavior disgusting. The fund says it will take action to prevent this sort of thing in the future.

The Netherlands is a donor

The Global Fund is a Geneva-based organization that fights diseases such as AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Much of the money comes from national governments.

the Netherlands are according to the Global Fund the ninth largest donor. For the years 2020-2022, the Dutch contribution is 156 million euros.