The Ministry of Health has expressed serious concern over Ghana’s low HIV/AIDS treatment coverage, warning that the widening treatment gap threatens the country’s goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Presenting Ghana’s 2024 National HIV Estimates at the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025), Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh revealed that the country recorded 15,290 new HIV infections and more than 12,600 AIDS-related deaths in 2024. Of the estimated 334,721 people living with HIV, over 18,000 are children under the age of 15.
Despite this significant disease burden, only 47.5% of adults and 35.8% of children living with HIV are currently on treatment — a shortfall the Minister described as the biggest obstacle to achieving epidemic control.
He highlighted that inequalities, stigma, and discrimination continue to hinder access to essential care, particularly for key populations such as female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender persons.
The Minister also underscored the vulnerability of young people, noting that adolescents and youth aged 10 to 24 account for nearly one-third of all new infections. He expressed particular concern over the disproportionately high rate of infections among adolescent girls and young women.
While acknowledging progress — including a 90% treatment success rate among those on antiretroviral therapy and a 99.3% success rate in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) — Mintah Akandoh noted that more than 160,000 diagnosed individuals are still not receiving treatment.
“Our 2024 national estimates reveal both impressive progress and serious challenges,” he said.
“Ghana has approximately 334,721 people living with HIV, including over 18,000 children under 15. Adult prevalence stands at 1.49%, with 15,290 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths recorded last year. Encouragingly, those on treatment have reached 90%, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission stands at 99.3%.”
The Health Minister called for stronger interventions, expanded treatment access, and renewed commitment from all stakeholders to close the treatment gap and safeguard national progress.
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