17,774 New HIV Infections Recorded in Ghana in 20231 min read

In 2023, Ghana documented 17,774 new cases of HIV infection, according to the latest national and sub-national estimates.

Among these cases, 6,457 were males and 11,317 were females. The figures include 4,869 young people aged 15-24, 1,698 children under 15, 1,520 adolescents aged 10-19, and 16,076 adults over 15.

Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, disclosed these statistics in Accra, highlighting a 14.8% reduction in new infections from 2013 to 2023. However, Ghana did not meet its annual target of a 17% decrease in new HIV infections over the past decade.

Looking ahead, Dr. Atuahene outlined plans for a 41% accelerated reduction in new infections by 2030. The projections also indicate that 334,095 Ghanaians were living with HIV in 2023—comprising 115,891 males and 218,204 females—an increase of 9% from 2013 to 2023.

Tragically, 12,480 deaths in 2023 were attributed to AIDS-related causes despite available treatments to prevent disease progression.

Dr. Atuahene emphasized Ghana’s commitment, alongside global efforts, to achieve the 95-95-95 targets by 2025: ensuring 95% awareness of HIV status, 95% of diagnosed individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy, and 95% achieving viral suppression.

Most HIV cases in Ghana affect individuals aged 15-49, a demographic crucial to the country’s economy, underscoring the urgency of prioritizing efforts to halt the AIDS epidemic.