Ghana’s National HIV and AIDS Control Programme has revealed a troubling surge of over 34,000 new HIV infections from January through the third quarter of 2024.

Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, Programme Manager, highlighted the importance of public testing and screening, noting that approximately 1.3 million people were tested during this period.

Speaking at the launch of the 2024 World AIDS Day campaign, Dr. Addo stressed the gravity of the figures, warning that the rise in infections poses a serious challenge to the nation’s goal of eliminating HIV by 2030. “Between January and the third quarter alone, 34,000 new HIV-positive individuals were identified through our testing efforts,” he said.

World AIDS Day, observed on December 1 each year, serves as a global call to action for preventing new infections and supporting individuals living with HIV. The 2024 theme, “Take the Rights Path,” urges communities to engage in prevention, testing, and treatment to curb the spread of HIV.

Dr. Addo urged sexually active individuals to prioritize their health by consistently using condoms and practicing safe sexual behaviors. He also emphasized the importance of treatment adherence for those living with HIV to prevent further transmission.

Dr. Atuahene Kyeremeh, Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), reaffirmed the GAC’s commitment to working with all stakeholders toward achieving the goal of HIV elimination by 2030. He also encouraged the public to take advantage of free treatment options available to effectively suppress the virus.

To mark World AIDS Day, the Ghana AIDS Commission has organized a series of events, including a grand durbar in Accra on December 2, 2024, bringing together key partners such as the Ghana Health Service, UNAIDS, and the National Association of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+).

The events will serve as a reminder of the collective effort needed to reach the 2030 target of ending the HIV epidemic in Ghana and beyond.