On Friday 19 March 2021, the Global Fund released a statement and a report by their OIG detailing misconduct – sexual exploitation and corruption – at NAP+ in Ghana during the implementation of their 2010-2019 grants.
As the Global Network of People living with HIV, we are dismayed at the findings of the report and condemn the sexual exploitation and abuse of women living with HIV. It is important that these corrupt and abusive practices have been uncovered and we stand by the women who courageously reported the abuse despite the threats and harassment.
Since these incidents were first uncovered, NAP+ Ghana have undergone a governance overhaul and with support from the Ghana AIDS Commission, new leaders were elected in September 2020.
The new women-led team are taking this issue very seriously and want to put in place actions to help ensure that such abuse and exploitation does not take place in the future.
We know that organisations across all sectors, including community networks need to do more to end all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. GNP+ and the Network of African People living with HIV West Africa (NAP+WA) are supporting NAP+ Ghana in its efforts. We are also using this opportunity to strengthen our own networks and to contribute to addressing safeguarding issues within our community at large.
We are committed to ensuring a survivor-centred approach – ensuring that their safety, confidentiality and wellbeing is central in all prevention and protection measures against sexual exploitation and abuse.
Community organisations must be better supported by global and national partners to put in place safeguarding measures that prevent abuse and keep people safe. As the HIV sector, we must all prioritise building a culture of accountability across our organisations and structures.
