By Dr. Seth Antwi Asiamah
Honourable Minister of Health,
Recent national data for 2025 confirm that HIV remains a serious and growing challenge in
Ghana, with consequences that extend far beyond the health sector. According to estimates
published by the Ghana AIDS Commission, more than 334,700 people were living with HIV
by the end of 2025, with women accounting for close to seven in every ten cases.
In addition, 15,290 new infections were recorded in 2024, alongside 12,614 AIDS-related deaths, figures that remain unacceptably high for a country with decades of experience in HIV control (Ghana
AIDS Commission, 2024; Graphic Online, 2025).
The epidemic is heavily concentrated in Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Eastern regions, which
together account for the largest share of new infections. These regions are also Ghana’s most
economically active and densely populated, meaning that the human and economic costs of rising HIV transmission are likely to be felt most sharply where national productivity should be strongest (MyJoyOnline, 2025).
A major driver of this situation is the steady weakening of HIV prevention education,particularly in senior high schools and communities. Over the years, HIV education has shifted from being systematic and visible to fragmented and contested.
Research on sexuality education in Ghana shows that inconsistent implementation, social resistance, and limited teacher preparation have reduced young people’s access to accurate, stigma-free information at a critical stage of life (UNICEF, 2023; UNESCO, 2019).
This persists despite strong international evidence that well-designed, age-appropriate school-based education reduces risky behaviours and new infections.
Public attention has also remained narrowly focused on sexual transmission, while everyday non-sexual risks receive far less scrutiny. Studies conducted in Ghana among barbers and street beauticians show that effective sterilisation and disinfection of tools are inconsistent, with only about half of the operators reporting proper cleaning after each client, and many misusing disinfectants (Amoah et al., 2020; Nyarko et al., 2021).
In the absence of strong regulation and inspection, barbershops and salons continue to operate as overlooked public health spaces, despite the potential risk of blood-borne infections, including HIV.
The implications of these trends for Ghana’s economy are profound. HIV disproportionately affects adults aged 15–49, the core of the labour force. Rising infections translate into higher absenteeism, reduced work capacity, increased healthcare expenditure, and the premature loss
of skilled workers.
International evidence from the International Labour Organization and UNAIDS consistently shows that sustained HIV transmission undermines labour productivity and slows economic growth. If current patterns persist, Ghana is likely to experience noticeable productivity losses within the next five years, particularly in urban and commercial centres (ILO, 2020; UNAIDS, 2024).
What is required now is decisive leadership from the Ministry of Health. HIV education must
be restored as a structured and compulsory part of senior high school curricula, supported by
trained educators and clear national standards.
Community prevention efforts need sustained visibility in high-burden regions, rather than short-term campaigns. Barbershops and salons should be regulated as public health spaces, with enforceable hygiene standards tied to local licensing.
Access to routine, stigma-free testing must expand, and continuity of treatment should be protected through reliable service delivery. Finally, transparent and regular publication of regional HIV data would strengthen accountability and public trust.
Prevention is not only a health obligation; it is a development imperative.Strong, consistent action now can still reverse the current trend and protect Ghana’s human capital for the years ahead.
DR. SETH ANTWI ASIAMAH
