There Is No Controversy Over Bush’s $17m Pledge – Dr. Barte-Plange

The Programmes Manager of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) Dr. Constance Barte-Plange has called myjoyonline to deny the story of controversy over the $17m pledge that President George Bush has made to Ghana to fight malaria. She denied the earlier version which was given by her subordinate, Naa Korkor Allotey, the Programmes Officer, describing it as twisted. Earlier in an interview with Joy News, Naa Korkor Allotey said no money has been made available for the project this year. Instead, she said, the money being referred to was, money allocated to the NMCP last December 2007. But her boss, Dr. Barte-Plange has denied the story and told myjoyonline that indeed the US government has made a pledge to give Ghana $17m yearly for three years. She said, the announcement that President George Bush made was for this year’s allocation of the support which is usually channeled through the USAID. She also said so much has been done in terms of preparation for the implementation of the programme using last year's allocation of the funds. According to her, indoor residual spraying would begin in the northern part of the country in April 2008. Dr. Barte-Plange also mentioned some of the organizations that are involved in the programme. The organizations are: Quality Health Partners, which is responsible for diagnosis, Ghana Sustainable Change Project, responsible for logistics and an organization known as RTI which is responsible for the indoor residual spraying. Asked if any action would be taken against her subordinate, Naa Korkor Allotey for the misinformation, she said, the Ministry of Health, which employs both of them would have to meet over the issue and take a decision.