The Ghana Health Director at Ahafo North, Dr Akosua Owusu Sarpong, has raised an alarm over the rising cases of HIV infections in the region, particularly among the youth.

At a press briefing held at Hwediem in the Asutifi South District, Dr Sarpong revealed that, following research conducted, it was indicated that six hundred and thirty-six (636) have contracted the infection, adding to the old number of cases in the region.

Out of this number, fourteen percent (14%) of them are teens, adolescents, a major challenge she believes should be dealt with as soon as possible.

“After our research, we can say that HIV infection is on the rise. From the beginning of the year to June, we have recorded 636 new cases in addition to the old cases we have now. And the most disturbing trend is infection among our youth, adolescents, and teenagers, from 14% of the total number of new cases. It's quite concerning that our children who are either in school or working will be infected. She added that this rising case of infections among the youth was “alarming, scary, and dangerous.”

Consequently, she highlighted her outfit's commitment to intensifying HIV awareness just as it had been doing in the previous years.

“...We are creating awareness about HIV…just as we have been doing in previous years”, she noted.

She further admonished infected persons to take all necessary measures to prevent the spread of the virus, urging them to desist from deliberately trying to infect others simply because they themselves have been infected. There are medications you can take to stay healthy, she added

“We have medication for infected persons. Take precautions to prevent infecting others. Do not say I have been infected, hence I will also transmit to others”.

On how the viral disease’s spread can be contained, she advised total abstinence from sex, faithfulness to partners, and the use of condoms.“Total abstinence from sex, being faithful to your sexual partners, and the careful use of condoms are effective ways to limit the transmission of the viral disease.”

On available interventions, the regional health director urged the public to take advantage of and help prevent the spread of HIV.

“There are many HIV interventions in our facilities, such as the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, early infant diagnosis, and HIV linkage to care with antiretroviral medications. Everyone in the Ahafo region should take advantage of these interventions in their health facilities to seek care when positive and to prevent new infections,” she continued.

Dr Sarpong then went on to call on the media and all other stakeholders to join them in creating awareness to fight the fatal infection and save more lives.

“I am appealing to journalists and media outlets in the region to support our public education campaigns to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS,” she continued.

In late April, there were reports of a rapid increase in HIV infections in the Berekum Municipality in the Bono Region, which now has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate at 3.34 per cent.

This was revealed by Mark Kyeremeh Oppong, the Bono Regional Technical Officer in charge of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana Health Service.

He described the findings from the Ghana AIDS Commission’s 2023 sentinel survey as worrying and noted that the entire Bono Region is experiencing a concerning rise in HIV cases.

Speaking at the launch of the “Miss Elegance Tertiary Ghana 2025”, a beauty pageant initiated by the Reproductive Needs and Fitness (RENEF) foundation, a health-centred Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Oppong encouraged young people who are sexually active to stay away from premarital sex and avoid having multiple sexual partners. For those who cannot abstain, he advised them to always practice safe sex.

RENEF, an organisation focused on reproductive health and gender equality, is using its 2025 beauty pageant as a platform to encourage students in tertiary institutions to voluntarily test for HIV and AIDS. The campaign aims to help control the rising number of infections.

Oppong expressed concern that the Bono Region has recorded the highest HIV prevalence in the country for three consecutive years. He said the increasing infection rate is troubling and called for urgent research to understand the root causes of the spread.

USAID withdrawal puts Ghana at risk

Ghana stands to lose an estimated $138.7 million in funding this year after the United States decided to withdraw support for HIV/AIDS programs.

The allocation, requested through the USAID Foreign Assistance Discretionary Request Report, was designated to aid essential sectors such as healthcare, economic development, education, and governance.

“In terms of aid, Ghana, on average, receives more than $130 million annually. Last year alone, bilateral support from USAID totalled over $150 million, which was dedicated to health, agriculture, education, governance, and other critical sectors. This year, Ghana submitted a request for $138.7 million, and now, that amount will no longer be available.”

The health sector is expected to face severe repercussions, with a $69.2 million funding request aimed at tackling malaria, bolstering health security, and improving maternal and child health, family planning, reproductive health, and nutrition, which are now at risk.

The withdrawal of U.S. aid jeopardises these vital programs.

The struggle against HIV/AIDS will also take a major hit. Since 2007, Ghana has received support through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program designed to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and assist those living with the virus. Over time, more than $132 million has been invested in Ghana through PEPFAR, working alongside local partners to combat the epidemic.

However, with the recent reduction in funding, initiatives focused on antiretroviral treatment, testing, and prevention efforts will face significant disruptions.

The U.S. funding cut presents a serious challenge for Ghana, as the country may experience funding gaps that could undermine essential public health programs and economic growth initiatives.

Ghana-US explores options to fight against HIV

Health Minister Honourable Mintah Akandoh and Chargé d’Affaires Rolf Olson of the United States Embassy have held discussions on exploring opportunities to strengthen collaboration in fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.

The two held discussions on August 26 to discuss ongoing U.S. health assistance to Ghana and the Mahama Administration’s priorities in the health sector.

Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, has stated that Ghana requires $300 million annually to achieve its HIV/AIDS elimination target by 2030.

According to the Commission, over 500,000 people in Ghana are currently living with HIV/AIDS. The national HIV prevalence rate stands at approximately 1.7%, with regional disparities.

Ghana is facing a concerning rise in HIV-related deaths, with new data revealing a staggering 33% increase in fatalities in 2023.According to reports from the Ghana AIDS Commission, 12,480 Ghanaians lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses in 2023, compared to 9,359 deaths recorded in 2022. Unfortunately, deaths resulting from AIDS recorded for persons of all ages were 9,359.