Ghana records 50 new HIV infections daily – GAC report
In Ghana, 50 people contract HIV daily, while 34 succumb to AIDS-related causes, according to the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC). Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director-General of GAC, stressed that these infections and deaths are preventable if people living with HIV (PLHIV) are diagnosed early and adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Speaking at a durbar in Accra to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS Day, Dr. Atuahene underscored the importance of intensifying efforts to combat HIV. This year’s global theme, Take the Right Path, aligns with Ghana’s local theme, Ending AIDS Together: Stepping Up HIV Prevention Efforts. The event served as a platform to reflect on the epidemic’s impact, evaluate progress in its management, recognize achievements, and renew Ghana’s commitment to the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
Dr. Atuahene highlighted the economic and social toll of undiagnosed and untreated HIV cases. He noted that productivity loss due to HIV-related ill-health averages five days per month per person. This, he explained, has a significant economic impact when considering Ghana’s estimated 183,000 PLHIV who are not on ART. Such losses underscore the urgent need for increased testing and treatment access.
World AIDS Day, observed annually, provides an opportunity to reassess the fight against HIV, celebrate successes, and identify barriers to service delivery. This year’s themes call for collective action, emphasizing the role of individuals, communities, and stakeholders in reducing infections, ensuring treatment adherence, and addressing stigma.
The Ghana AIDS Commission’s focus on prevention includes promoting HIV testing, expanding access to ART, and combating misinformation and discrimination against PLHIV. These efforts are crucial to reducing new infections and AIDS-related deaths, which remain a significant challenge.
Dr. Atuahene called for a united front in addressing the epidemic, urging Ghanaians to support prevention initiatives, encourage testing, and foster an inclusive environment for those living with HIV. He reiterated that by stepping up prevention efforts, Ghana can make strides toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The commemoration highlighted the need for sustained investments in health systems, community engagement, and innovative strategies to achieve the shared vision of an AIDS-free future.
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