Stepping up preventive efforts to stop HIV

It is quite obvious that public discussions about HIV/AIDS and infection rates are being relegated to the background gradually as other issues of importance compete for national attention.

Last Sunday, December 1, marked WORLD AIDS DAY. The day is celebrated as part of 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) from November 26 to December 10.

The day is observed to raise awareness of the HIV and AIDS pandemic and remember those who have lost their lives to the disease. 

This year’s theme is: "Take the right path" and the local theme is: "Ending AIDS together, stepping up preventive efforts."

Undoubtedly, it has become one of the most widely recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.

The day provides an opportunity for every community and individual to honour the more than 32 million people who have died worldwide from AIDS-related illness and is also a day for voices to unite by sharing experiences, remembering those lost and standing together in the fight against HIV.

In Ghana, significant progress has been made in the fight against HIV and AIDS but there are still challenges.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Ghana has made notable strides in reducing new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.

Between 2010 and 2023, new HIV infections decreased by 21 per cent, while AIDS-related deaths declined by 36 per cent. The progress so far is a testament to the efforts of the government, healthcare workers and community organisations.

While the Daily Graphic acknowledges the progress, Ghana still faces significant challenges in its response to HIV and AIDS. One major concern is the low level of HIV testing and treatment among key populations, such as men who have sex with men, sex workers and people who inject drugs. Stigma and discrimination against these groups remain significant barriers to accessing HIV services.

The Director General of the GAC, Dr Kyeremeh Atuahene, at this year’s celebration, said an estimated 35 per cent of Ghanaians living with HIV had not been tested and, therefore, did not know their HIV status. He said 35 per cent of them were not on antiretroviral treatment. Each day, 50 people in Ghana get infected with HIV, while 35 people die of AIDS-related illnesses.

Also, the Programme Manager of the National AIDS/STIs Control Programme, Dr Stephen Ayisi Addo, who gave some statistics, said it was a pity that between January and September this year, 4,567 people had died from AIDS with 3,458 of them being females. During the same period, he said the control programme identified about 35,460 new positive cases.

Another hurdle Ghana needs to scale is the need to increase domestic funding for HIV and AIDS programmes. Currently, the majority of funding for HIV/AIDS programmes in the country comes from international donors. While this support is crucial, it is unsustainable in the long term.

The Daily Graphic is urging the government to prioritise increasing domestic funding for HIV and AIDS programmes to ensure their sustainability.

To accelerate Ghana's response to HIV and AIDS, we call on the government, civil society organisations and community leaders to work together to increase HIV testing and treatment among key populations and this will require addressing stigma and discrimination against these groups and providing targeted HIV services.

Moreover, there is the need to increase domestic funding for HIV and AIDS programmes and we call on the government to prioritise increasing domestic funding for HIV and AIDS programmes to ensure their sustainability.

We call on the government to address the social and economic determinants of HIV and AIDS, such as poverty, the lack of education and gender inequality. These underlying factors contribute to the spread of HIV and AIDS and must be addressed through comprehensive development programmes.

The Daily Graphic believes that while Ghana has made significant progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS, challenges remain and to accelerate the country's response the Daily Graphic believes that it is essential to increase HIV testing and treatment among key populations, increase domestic funding for HIV and AIDS programmes and address the social and economic determinants of HIV and AIDS. 

We also urge public and private partners to take the opportunity to spread awareness of the status of the pandemic and encourage progress in HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care across the country.