Ghana records nearly 14,000 new HIV infections in 2025 as condom use declines
Ghana recorded 13,951 new HIV infections in 2025, with women accounting for 8,900 cases, representing 63.8% of the total, as health authorities raise concerns over risky sexual practices and declining condom use.
The Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number of new infections, with 3,141 cases, according to data released by the Ghana AIDS Commission.
The figures have sparked concerns about the country’s efforts to curb the spread of HIV, with the Commission warning that Ghana is not on track to meet the global 95-95-95 targets under its 2026–2030 National Strategic Plan.
Isaiah Doe Kwao, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana AIDS Commission, has called for urgent measures to strengthen HIV prevention, testing and treatment to reverse the trend.
Speaking at the 2026 HIV and AIDS Partnership Forum, he highlighted factors contributing to new infections and stressed the need for increased public education and financial support for the national HIV response.
Of the 13,951 new infections recorded in 2025, women accounted for 63.8%, while Greater Accra emerged as the region with the highest number of new cases. The region also recorded the largest population of people living with HIV, partly reflecting its high population concentration.
Mr Kwao disclosed that slightly more than 330,000 people were living with HIV nationwide at the end of 2025, including more than 77,000 in Greater Accra.
He explained that densely populated areas tend to record higher numbers of infections due to population size and patterns of sexual behaviour, noting that heterosexual sex remains the leading mode of HIV transmission.
However, he stressed that the priority should be finding effective ways to reduce new infections rather than focusing solely on the figures.
Mr Kwao identified unprotected sex and having multiple sexual partners among the major behaviours contributing to the spread of HIV. He also cited casual sexual encounters and relationships outside committed partnerships as practices that could increase the risk of infection.
He urged sexually active individuals to know their HIV status, use condoms consistently and adopt safer sexual practices to reduce their exposure to the virus.
According to him, people who test negative should take preventive measures, including avoiding risky sexual behaviour and maintaining mutually faithful relationships.
He acknowledged that HIV can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding, but emphasised that preventing sexual transmission remains central to reducing new infections.
The Ghana AIDS Commission has warned that the country is falling behind in achieving the global 95-95-95 targets outlined in its 2026–2030 National Strategic Plan.
The targets aim to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive sustained antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of people on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Meeting these targets is considered essential to reducing HIV-related illnesses and deaths while preventing further transmission.
Mr Kwao said Ghana would need to intensify prevention campaigns, expand testing services, promote early diagnosis and ensure that people who test positive can access and remain on treatment.
He also underscored the importance of public education in correcting misconceptions about HIV and encouraging safer sexual practices.
Beyond prevention and treatment, Mr Kwao identified inadequate funding as a major obstacle to Ghana’s efforts to achieve its HIV targets.
He warned that declining support from international donors was becoming a concern and called on the government to increase its financial contribution to the national HIV and AIDS response.
The Commission is advocating an increase in the portion of the District Assemblies Common Fund allocated to HIV and AIDS programmes to strengthen prevention and support services at the local level.
Mr Kwao explained that increased funding for district-level interventions would help direct resources to communities where they are most needed.
The Commission is also seeking additional contributions to strengthen the National HIV and AIDS Fund and sustain its programmes.
He said the government could help mobilise more resources by engaging the private sector and encouraging businesses to contribute through their corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The Resource Mobilisation Committee of the Ghana AIDS Board is also being encouraged to use its expertise to attract funding and help close the financing gap.
Mr Kwao appealed to individuals to support the National HIV and AIDS Fund, stressing that contributions of any amount could help sustain prevention and treatment programmes.
He encouraged the public to donate through the short code *9898#, noting that collective contributions would help bridge the funding shortfall and strengthen Ghana’s response to HIV and AIDS.
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