Ghana has reported over 34,000 new HIV infections between January and September 2024, according to the National HIV and AIDS Control Programme at the Ghana Health Service (GHS). The program’s manager, Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, highlighted the pressing need for public HIV testing and screening, as approximately 1.3 million people were screened during this period.
Dr. Ayisi Addo spoke on the issue at the launch of the 2024 World AIDS Day event organized by the Ghana AIDS Commission. The event featured a candlelight procession in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to AIDS. He emphasized that the high number of new infections poses a significant challenge to Ghana’s target of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.
The event’s theme, “Take the Rights Path,” reflects Ghana’s commitment to rights-based approaches in HIV prevention. Ghana AIDS Commission Director General, Dr. Atuahene Kyeremeh, reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to working with stakeholders to reduce infections and expand access to free treatment options, which help suppress the virus in infected individuals.
The commission also announced various activities for World AIDS Day, including a grand durbar in Accra on December 2, 2024. This event will see collaboration from key partners such as the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, UNAIDS, and the National Association of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+), all aimed at promoting HIV awareness, testing, and treatment.
