The Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) has marked this year’s World AIDS Day with a strong message urging Ghanaians to intensify efforts to combat HIV and AIDS. Under the global theme, “Take the Rights Path: Ending AIDS Together (Stepping Up Prevention Efforts),” GHANET emphasized that the battle against HIV is far from over, despite progress in reducing the national prevalence rate to 1.53%.
GHANET highlighted alarming statistics showing a rise in new infections. The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) reported 17,774 new HIV cases in 2023. Furthermore, the National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) revealed that between January and September 2024 alone, approximately 34,000 new infections were recorded.
“These figures remind us that HIV remains a significant challenge in Ghana,” said GHANET President Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin. “We appeal to all Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to avoid risky sexual behaviors, especially as reports of sex parties and low condom usage increase.”
Calls for Innovative Interventions
GHANET praised the introduction of HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) kits, which have gained popularity, and urged the government to expand interventions like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). These preventive measures, they believe, could help reduce new infections, especially among young people.
The organization also encouraged private-sector collaboration, particularly with community pharmacies, to ensure these prevention tools are widely accessible.
Ghana’s Slow Progress Towards UNAIDS Targets
Despite efforts, Ghana is lagging in achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim for 95% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.
According to GHANET, only 65% of the estimated 334,000 PLHIV in Ghana have been tested, with 69% of them receiving treatment. Of those on treatment, 89% have achieved viral suppression.
Funding Challenges and a Call to Action
A significant obstacle to Ghana’s HIV response is the absence of a dedicated funding mechanism. GHANET criticized successive governments for failing to operationalize the National HIV and AIDS Fund (NHAF) as mandated by the GAC Act, 2016 (Act 938).
Currently, Ghana relies heavily on the Global Fund, which has invested $1.5 billion since 2002 to fight HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. However, GHANET expressed concern over the Global Fund’s transitional arrangements, which could reduce its support in the future.
“We call on the government to urgently operationalize the NHAF to ensure sustainable funding for HIV and AIDS interventions,” Ortsin stated.
Hosting ICASA 2025
GHANET also called on Ghanaians to rally behind preparations for the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 23), scheduled to be held in Ghana in December 2025.
“We urge all sections of society to support this event and make it a resounding success,” Ortsin added.
As the nation observes World AIDS Day, GHANET reaffirmed its commitment to the fight against HIV and AIDS and called for collective action to achieve an HIV-free future.
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