More than half of the people living with HIV in Ghana are not receiving life-saving treatment, according to the latest data from the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC).
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At a press briefing in Accra on July 3, 2025, the Commission released the 2024 national and sub-national HIV estimates, revealing that only 47% (334,721 people) of HIV-positive individuals are currently on antiretroviral therapy (ART). A concerning 52.6% remain untreated, raising alarms about the country’s ability to contain the virus.
“This is not just a health crisis for the infected; it endangers everyone,” said Isaiah Doe Kwao, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the GAC.
Alarming New Infections and Deaths
In 2024, 15,290 new HIV infections were recorded, alongside 12,614 AIDS-related deaths. Thanks to ART, an estimated 12,358 deaths were prevented. However, the GAC warns that without urgent action to expand access to treatment, progress could stall.
Women and Children Disproportionately Affected
Women and children continue to bear the brunt of the epidemic. 68.5% of new infections (10,303) occurred in females, while 1,243 cases were recorded in children under 15.
While 99.3% of HIV-positive mothers received prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services, the Commission stressed the need for stronger follow-up care.
Key Challenges Behind Low Treatment Rates
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidency, cited stigma, misinformation, poor access to healthcare, economic hardship, and reduced foreign aid, especially the suspension of USAID support, as key barriers.
“These issues are slowing our fight, but we remain determined,” she said. “We’re working toward sustainable local funding and better integration of HIV care into national health systems.”
She warned that every untreated HIV-positive individual risks advancing to AIDS and dying prematurely, a reality that is “unacceptable in today’s world.”
Regional Breakdown of New Cases
The data also showed regional disparities in new infections:
- Greater Accra: 3,436
- Ashanti: 2,997
- Eastern: 2,019
- Central: 1,140
- Western: 1,120
- Bono: 875
- Volta: 809
- Bono East: 649
- Western North: 478
- Ahafo: 350
- Upper East: 345
- Northern: 318
- Upper West: 292
- Oti: 222
- Savannah: 143
- North East: 97
Ghana’s Missed 95-95-95 Targets
The figures highlight Ghana’s struggle to meet UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 goals, ensuring that 95% of HIV-positive people know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Despite ongoing challenges, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ending AIDS in Ghana by 2030.
Read also: Ghana records 15K new HIV cases in 2024 » Awake News
