I am currently studying public health, with a particular focus on HIV and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). During a recent trip to Ghana, I was struck by how little public health education appears to exist regarding HIV prevention. I engaged in conversations with several well-educated individuals, and to my surprise, many of them seemed to know very little about HIV—or even questioned whether it remained a concern in Ghana. To be honest, that shocked me.

Just last week, I came across an interview on Ghanaweb.com with the president of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET). He revealed that the Government of Ghana has not contributed funds to the national HIV fund in the last eight years.

This means there is virtually no government funding for HIV awareness or prevention campaigns. While organisations such as PEPFAR, WHO, and the Global Fund are still actively supporting the fight against HIV, it seems the government has taken a back seat—leaving a growing crisis unchecked. HIV is becoming a silent emergency in Ghana, and without urgent action, we risk falling even further behind the global goal of ending HIV by 2030.

What is HIV/AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It's a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically targeting white blood cells that help fight infections (WHO, 2023). When these cells are destroyed, the immune system becomes weaker, making it easier for diseases like tuberculosis, cervical cancer, and other infections to take hold.

HIV vs AIDS – What’s the Difference?

HIV is the virus itself. Over time, if left untreated, it damages the immune system by destroying white blood cells, making it hard for the body to fight off even simple infections and illnesses (NHS, 2025).AIDS, or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is the most advanced stage of HIV. It’s not a virus, but a condition marked by serious, life-threatening infections and illnesses that occur when the immune system is severely weakened (WHO, 2024).

HIV in Africa and Ghana: The Numbers

HIV remains a major health issue across Africa. As of 2022, around 25.6 million people were living with HIV on the continent (WHO, 2022). That same year, there were about 380,000 AIDS-related deaths and 760,000 new HIV infections.

Ghana is not exempt from this crisis. In 2023 alone:

• 17,774 new HIV infections were recorded
• 12,480 AIDS-related deaths occurred
• About 334,095 people were living with HIV/AIDS (Ghana AIDS Commission, 2023)
Despite the hard work of the Ghana AIDS Commission, civil society organizations (CSOs), and other partners, these numbers remain deeply concerning.

Why Is HIV Still Spreading in Ghana?

To truly understand how HIV spreads, we need to look beyond biology and into the social and economic realities people face. Several factors contribute to the continued spread of HIV in Ghana:

• Poverty
• Gender inequality
• Limited access to education and healthcare
• Stigma and discrimination
• Risky sexual behaviours (such as unprotected sex or multiple partners)
• Transactional sex
These issues create an environment where the virus can spread more easily.

Ways HIV spread

HIV is mainly transmitted through certain body fluids of someone who has the virus. These fluids include:

• Blood
• Semen and pre-seminal fluid
• Vaginal and rectal fluids
• Breast milk
Common ways HIV spreads include:
• Unprotected anal or vaginal sex
• Sharing needles or syringes
• From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding (WHO, 2024)

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of HIV?

One of the biggest challenges with HIV is that many people don’t know they have it until it’s advanced. Within 2 to 4 weeks after infection, some people experience flu-like symptoms such as:
• Fever
• Headache
• Rash
• Sore throat
(CDC, 2025)

As the virus continues to weaken the immune system, more serious symptoms can develop, including:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Weight loss
• Persistent diarrhoea
• Ongoing fever and cough
If left untreated, HIV can lead to serious illnesses like tuberculosis, cryptococcal meningitis, severe bacterial infections, and certain cancers such as lymphoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma (WHO, 2024).

Preventing HIV: The Role of PrEP and PEP

Two powerful tools in the fight against HIV are PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis).

PrEP is a preventive measure for people who are HIV-negative but at high risk of exposure. It involves taking a daily pill that contains antiretroviral medications. When taken consistently, PrEP can reduce the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99%, and by at least 74% for people who inject drugs (Novus, 2024). It’s especially useful for people who:

• Have multiple sexual partners
• Don’t always use condoms in risky sexual behaviours
• Share needles or injection equipment

PEP, on the other hand, is an emergency option. It’s meant for people who may have been exposed to HIV (for example, through unprotected sex, needle-sharing, or sexual assault). PEP must be started within 72 hours after exposure—and the sooner, the better. It involves taking antiretroviral medicine for 28 days (CDC, 2022; CDC, 2024). While it's not 100% effective, it can significantly reduce the risk of HIV if taken properly.

Call to Action: Silence is Deadly — Let’s Talk About HIV Now!

Ghana can no longer afford to ignore the silent crisis of HIV. With over 17,000 new infections and 12,000 AIDS-related deaths in 2023 alone, the time for awareness, education, and government accountability is now.

• The government of Ghana urgently needs to reinvest in the National HIV Fund and commit to sustained funding for public education, prevention programs, and access to life-saving treatment.

• Healthcare professionals and educators to integrate HIV education into schools, community outreach, and antenatal care — especially around PMTCT.

• Media platforms to break the silence and bring HIV conversations back into the public spotlight.

• Youth, students, and community leaders to champion open, stigma-free discussions and encourage routine HIV testing and prevention practices like PrEP and PEP.

Conclusion

HIV in Ghana is a growing yet overlooked crisis—one that demands immediate attention. Despite global progress, Ghana’s lack of government support and public awareness threatens to undo years of hard-won gains. We cannot afford silence or complacency. By investing in education, prevention, and open dialogue, we can turn the tide. The fight against HIV is far from over—but with collective action, it is a fight we can still win.

HIV is not gone. But together, we can stop it. Speak up. Get tested. Demand action.