Ghana recorded 15,290 new HIV infections in 2024, according to figures released by the Ghana AIDS Commission at a press briefing held in Accra last Thursday.

The statistics reveal a worrying gap in the country’s progress toward meeting the global 95-95-95 targets set by UNAIDS—goals aimed at ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The targets call for 95% of all people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to be on sustained treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression. Ghana, however, remains off track, with significant gaps in diagnosis, treatment coverage, and viral suppression.

Isaiah Doe Kwao, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Commission, stressed the urgency of expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), noting that while 12,614 AIDS-related deaths were recorded, 12,358 lives were saved due to treatment access. Still, the overall figures highlight systemic challenges.

The data showed that women and children remain disproportionately affected. Of the new infections, 68.5% (10,303) occurred in females, and 5.4% (1,243) were in children under 15 years. Males accounted for 4,987 new cases, and 11,289 infections were among adults aged 15 and above.

Despite a commendable 99.3% coverage rate of HIV-positive pregnant women receiving prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services, Kwao emphasized that there is still a critical need for improved follow-up and treatment for affected mothers and children.

Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, pointed to stigma, disinformation, economic hardship, and recent international funding cuts—such as the suspension of USAID support—as major barriers to Ghana’s HIV response.

She warned that every HIV-positive person not on treatment remains at risk of advanced illness and death, calling the current treatment gap “unacceptable.”

She further announced the establishment of sustainable domestic financing plans and the integration of HIV priorities into broader national health and development strategies. “No one should be left behind in our HIV response,” she said, urging all stakeholders to act on the data.

As Ghana prepares to host the 2025 International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), the Deputy Chief of Staff called for a united front among government agencies, healthcare workers, donors, and community advocates.

Regionally, the burden remains highest in urban areas, with Greater Accra leading at 3,436 new infections, followed by Ashanti (2,997), Eastern (2,019), Central (1,140), and Western (1,120). Other regions like Bono (875), Volta (809), and Bono East (649) also reported significant numbers. The North East Region recorded the fewest cases at 97.

The Commission's report serves as a wake-up call, urging a nationwide redoubling of efforts to achieve equity in treatment, prevent new infections, and eliminate stigma in the fight against HIV/AIDS.