The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has reported a troubling surge in new HIV cases, with at least 34,000 individuals testing positive between January and September of this year.
Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, Programmes Manager of the NACP, shared this alarming figure during the launch of Ghana’s World AIDS Day activities in Accra, expressing concern over the persistent spread of the virus despite intensive public health interventions.
The new cases were identified through screening and testing campaigns conducted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS), covering roughly 1.3 million people.
Speaking at the candlelight vigil, which honoured those who have lost their lives to HIV, Dr. Ayisi Addo emphasized the need to double down on prevention efforts.
He highlighted that this year’s global theme for World AIDS Day is “Take the Right Path,” while Ghana’s national theme, “Ending AIDS Together: Stepping up Prevention Efforts,” underscores the urgency of collective action.
Dr. Ayisi Addo urged infected individuals to seek treatment, warning that many still avoid necessary care, which hampers efforts to curb the virus’s transmission.
The rising case count has spurred the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) to renew its commitment to awareness and education campaigns, targeting both urban and rural communities.
The Director General of GAC, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, affirmed the Commission’s determination to increase HIV’s visibility as a public health concern, reiterating that eradication by 2030 hinges on public adherence to preventive measures, including the use of condoms and abstinence.
Beyond awareness, the NACP Programmes Manager appealed to infected individuals to continue with their treatments. He encouraged them to freely access essential HIV commodities such as antiretroviral drugs and condoms, as consistent treatment not only extends life but also helps prevent further spread of the virus. Dr. Ayisi Addo assured that people can obtain these supplies anonymously to protect their privacy.
Dr. Ayisi Addo called on a broad coalition of civil society organizations, community leaders, and religious groups to amplify the HIV awareness message nationwide. He highlighted the vital role these groups play in reshaping attitudes toward HIV testing and treatment, stressing that stigma reduction is crucial for widespread acceptance of preventive practices.
The World AIDS Day event also included representatives from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (NAP+ GHANA), and the Ghana HIV/AIDS Network (GHANET), who joined in launching activities that will culminate in a national durbar in Accra on December 2, 2024.
Dr. Atuahene noted that regional and district events would follow in the coming weeks, aiming to mobilize support and encourage safer health practices across the country.
