September 15, 2003 - GhanaWeb: Aliu praises Peace Corps' efforts to control HIV/AIDS

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2003: September 2003 Peace Corps Headlines: September 15, 2003 - GhanaWeb: Aliu praises Peace Corps' efforts to control HIV/AIDS

By Admin1 (admin) on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 3:02 pm: Edit Post

Aliu praises Peace Corps' efforts to control HIV/AIDS





His Excellency Mr. Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, speaking at the 13th plenary meeting of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.


Read and comment on this story from GhanaWeb on Vice President Aliu Mahama of Ghana who told Mr Gaddi H. Vasquez, Director of Peace Corps, that his organisation's focus on combating HIV/AIDS in Ghana was crucial for the nation's progress. He said the disease, which could wipe out the nation's most dynamic population, threatened productivity and growth of Africa's economy, adding that, Peace Corps' contribution would, therefore, help to save the situation. Read the story at:

Aliu lauds Peace Corps' efforts to control HIV/AIDS*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



Aliu lauds Peace Corps' efforts to control HIV/AIDS

Accra, Sept.15, GNA - Vice President Aliu Mahama, on Monday, told Mr Gaddi H. Vasquez, Director of Peace Corps, that his organisation's focus on combating HIV/AIDS in Ghana was crucial for the nation's progress. He said the disease, which could wipe out the nation's most dynamic population, threatened productivity and growth of Africa's economy, adding that, Peace Corps' contribution would, therefore, help to save the situation.

Vice President Mahama also lauded Peace Corps' contribution to rural development, which he said started from the educational sector, but had expanded over the years to cover sanitation, management of small businesses and poverty reduction schemes.

He shared his experiences as a beneficiary of the Peace Corps programme, saying volunteers taught him science in secondary school and expressed admiration for their willingness to serve in the remotest areas and adding that their ability to easily adapt to their new environment was remarkable.

Vice President Mahama said the relationship between Ghana and America was 'fantastic,' adding Washington's investments in agriculture; defence, health, education and several other areas were helpful. He said Ghana was committed to playing an active role in ECOWAS and the African Union to reduce poverty and maintain peace on the continent.

Mr Vasquez, who is in Accra to launch this year's conference of Peace Corps Country Directors in Africa; said the legendary hospitality of Ghanaians had enhanced the successful service of the volunteers. Ghana was the first country in the world to enjoy the services of Peace Corps in 1961, under President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Since then, more than 170,000 volunteers have served in diverse fields including education, health, HIV/AIDS education, information technology, business development, environment and agriculture.

Mr Vasquez said Washington would expand its programmes in Ghana to facilitate socio-economic development and expressed the hope that the conference would provide the platform towards that.

The five-day conference, being attended by Peace Corps Country Directors and staff from 27 African countries and Washington, would discuss lessons from their volunteer-assisted programmes in Africa. They would review their programmes in education; health; small enterprise development; environment; agriculture and information technology.

They would also consider HIV/AIDS, gender and youth development issues.

Alhaji Rashid Bawa, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, said the programme to fight HIV/AIDS should target the youth through sporting activities.

Alhaji Bawa said sports did not only engage the youth to develop their talents, but also mobilised them for other productive ventures. U.S. Ambassador Mary Carlin Yates and other Peace Corps officials accompanied Director Vasquez to the Castle.



May 27, 2003 - Peace Corps Commits 1,000 Additional Volunteers as part of Global AIDS Relief Package





Read and comment on this Peace Corps Press Release on May 27, 2003 that the Peace Corps has committed to an additional 1,000 volunteers to fight HIV/AIDS as part of legislation signed into law today by President Bush at:

Peace Corps Commits 1,000 Additional Volunteers as part of Global AIDS Relief Package*

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.



Peace Corps Commits 1,000 Additional Volunteers as part of Global AIDS Relief Package

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 27, 2003 - In addition to over 2,100 Peace Corps volunteers currently working on HIV/AIDS projects, the Peace Corps committed to an additional 1,000 volunteers to fight HIV/AIDS as part of legislation signed into law today by President Bush. The new law, H.R. 1298, the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act of 2003, will direct $15 billion over the next five years to fight HIV/AIDS abroad, focusing on 14 African and Caribbean countries where HIV/AIDS is heavily concentrated.

President Bush signed the bipartisan legislation into law today during a ceremony at the Department of State and recognized Peace Corps volunteers for their work abroad. The President received multiple standing ovations as he addressed the audience and stated that he viewed fighting HIV/AIDS as a “moral duty.”

“Peace Corps volunteers are making an impact at the local level, and by committing an additional 1,000 volunteers, Peace Corps will be able to enhance a number of programs and expand HIV/AIDS projects in current Peace Corps countries. The expansion includes additional volunteers working in targeted African countries, as well as those in the Caribbean. Also, more educational material, written in local languages, will be developed for volunteers to use in their communities,” stated Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez.

Peace Corps currently has more than 2,100 volunteers working on HIV/AIDS activities. Peace Corps programs in two countries, Botswana and Swaziland, are devoted entirely to the pandemic. In addition, Peace Corps is exploring partnerships with other Federal agencies in order to further expand its efforts as part of the President’s initiative.

The Crisis Corps program, in which former Peace Corps volunteers return to service for a limited period, will also commit volunteers to fight the disease. These volunteers will lend their expertise to non-governmental organizations and government agencies worldwide for assignments of up to six months. The Peace Corps will enhance the capability of volunteers and their communities to obtain and exchange information about the latest innovations in public health education, behavior change, and delivery of services to people living with HIV/AIDS through the use of information communication technology.

Since 1961, more than 168,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health and HIV/AIDS education and awareness, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.




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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Ghana; HIV; AIDS

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By Asaa Peter (216-147-152-53.globalsat.net - 216.147.152.53) on Thursday, December 04, 2003 - 8:29 am: Edit Post

I had the opportunity to study under the suppervision of some peacecorps in 1994-5 at Garu in the upper east region of Ghana. The two who thought me are; Thomas and Grace. I really appreciated their efforts-teaching us in temperatures above 37 degrees celsiuos- and will like to say bravo to the peace corps mission in Ghana.

In fact we naturely became friends with them. I coomunicated with them until we lost contact, some where in 1996-7. Ever since i have been trying to get in touch with them but without success. It is my hope that through this we may get in touch again. Thomas and Grace lived in Ontario, Canada at the time we were coresponding.
I am now in my final year in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology-Kumasi,Ghana.


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