Story by Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
Ghana’s rising HIV cases have prompted President John Dramami Mahama to express profound concern, attributing this disturbing trend to glaring gaps in communication, education, and support systems.
His remarks come in response to the Ghana AIDS Commission’s 2024 report, which disturbingly recorded 15,290 new HIV cases, with 4,987 cases among males and 11,289 cases among adults aged 15 and above.
Speaking at the launch of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Voluntary National Report, Mahama underscored the imperative need for a more dynamic and inclusive national response that transcends conventional awareness campaigns.
“We are alarmed by the rising HIV rates, especially among young people. This reflects failures in communication, persistent stigma, and inadequate access to sexual health education,” he emphasized.
Mahama stressed the paramount importance of engaging young people directly in the national response, advocating for a collaborative effort among schools, health professionals, parents, and the media.
“Prevention is essential, but empowerment is the key,” he added, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to addressing the crisis.
Mahama drew attention to another pressing public health concern – the increasing prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women.
“It is said that 50% of pregnant women in Ghana suffer from some form of anaemia. This is a direct reflection of poor nutrition, inequality, and inadequate health education. Addressing this is not a choice but a necessity for our mothers’ and children’s future,” he noted, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to mitigate this pressing health issue.
