There is a surge in new HIV/AIDS infections, with approximately 334,721 people living with HIV, while 15,290 new cases, including young people between the ages of 15 and 24, are being reported.
Following this development, the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) said it was adopting innovative strategies such as social media techniques to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among the younger generation.
The acting Director-General of GAC, Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, said this had become necessary since traditional messaging methods were no longer effective for young people.
He said the commission was also collaborating with the Ghana School of Public Health and some sports journalists to integrate awareness messages in their various platforms, including social media and sports events.
Also, GAC would reintroduce the condom vending machine to be placed at vantage points such as drinking bars, sports stadia, lorry stations and nightclubs.
Event
Mr Akanbong was speaking at the launch of this year’s World AIDS Day in Accra yesterday on the theme: “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” with a sub-theme: “Africa unites against AIDS”.
The day is marked on December 1, every year, to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, fight stigma and encourage progress in prevention and treatment.
He said this year’s celebration was significant as the country prepared to host the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025) from December 3 to 8, 2025.
Activities lined up for the launch include a health walk on Saturday, November 29, 2025, screening of a film at the Commonwealth Amphitheatre of the University of Ghana to raise funds for children with disabilities impacted by HIV and AIDS by UNAIDS, media engagement, and condom distribution across the country.
The activities would climax on World AIDS Day on Monday, December 1, 2025, with an address by President John Dramani Mahama.
Funding
Mr Akanbong appealed to the public to support the National HIV Response by donating to the National HIV and AIDS Fund via the short code *9898#.
He said that the commission, with support from UNAIDS, had drafted a Ghana Sustainability Roadmap to guide the government and private investment into HIV and AIDS.
Progress
The Board Chair of the GAC, Kakra Essamuah, said the country had made significant strides with about 70 per cent of people living with HIV knowing their status and receiving antiretroviral therapy.
He expressed the commission’s commitment to sustaining the gains and closing the gaps to build a country free from fear and stigma.
Mr Essamuah commended the partners for their unwavering contributions and support, while urging continued collaboration to end HIV.
The President of Ghana HIV/AIDS Network, Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, said that about 130,000 people lost their lives to HIV in the last 10 years and, therefore, called for an urgent need to activate the National HIV and AIDS Fund to intensify campaigns on HIV/AIDS across the country.
The Country Director of UNAIDS, Ghana, Hector Sucilla Perez, commended the efforts of the country in launching the HIV Sustainability Roadmap Part A, and for hosting the recent Africa Health Sovereignty Summit.
