Mary Naa Asheley Anyomi, Volta Regional Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission, on Tuesday disclosed that there were 778 new HIV infections in the region, representing 4.4 percent of Ghana’s total new infections of 17,774 in 2023.

She stated that out of this number, 230 were male adults aged 15 years and above, 468 were adult females aged 15 years and above, 214 were young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years, while children between the ages of zero and 14 years accounted for 80 cases.

Anyomi made the disclosure when her outfit, along with some members of the Ghana AIDS Commission’s Regional Committee and Executives of the Coalition of NGOs in Health, paid a courtesy call on James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, in his office in Ho.

She stated that the regional adult HIV prevalence was 1.35 percent, making it the ninth on the HIV league table, while the prevalence among key populations was 4.3 percent for female sex workers and 28.9 percent for men who have sex with men.

The Regional Technical Coordinator stated that the Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage for all ages in the region was 57.1 percent, adding that ART coverage for adults aged 15 years and above was 58.0 percent, while that for children aged zero to 14 years was 41.5 percent.

Anyomi noted that Central Tongu, Ketu North, Ketu South, and North Tongu contributed 42.03 percent of the total number of new infections.

She stated that the prevalence rates of 2.08, 1.6, and 1.57 percent for Kpando, Central Tongu, and North Tongu, respectively, were higher than both the regional and national prevalence rates of 1.35 and 1.53 percent, respectively.

Anyomi further disclosed that nine districts in the region—Kpando, Ho, Ketu North, South Dayi, Central Tongu, North Dayi, Keta, Ho West, and North Tongu—had prevalence rates higher than the regional prevalence.

Additionally, 15 out of the 18 districts had prevalence rates of one percent or higher.

She emphasized the need to step up prevention programs, including the promotion of condom use and efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination. She also stressed the importance of education and awareness campaigns through various media channels such as television, radio, social media platforms, and community information centers to disseminate accurate information on HIV prevention, transmission, and treatment.

Furthermore, she highlighted the need to utilize clubs at the basic, secondary, and tertiary education levels to educate and spread accurate information on HIV prevention, transmission, and treatment.

Anyomi stated that, in expanding access to testing, HIV self-testing had been rolled out in the region, targeting underserved populations such as adult men, adolescents, young people, internet-based and high-class sex workers, drug users, and People Living with HIV who had been lost to follow-ups. The region has also prioritized community testing programs focusing on major festivities and national events.

Victor Ntumy, the National Executive of the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, intimated that some of their challenges included inaccessibility of certain areas for their outreach programs and financial constraints, which continued to limit their efforts.

Gunu expressed his appreciation for their efforts and dedication, reaffirming that health remained one of the top priorities of the current government under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.

He encouraged them to continue collaborating with other stakeholders to minimize the spread of the disease.

Gunu emphasized the need for sustained awareness creation, especially among the youth.

Present at the meeting were Reverend Gershon Kwame Osei, Regional Chairman of the Coalition of NGOs in Health; Reverend Seth Mawutor, Regional Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana; Alhaji Anas Hamidu, Representative of the Muslim Council; and Mr. Samuel Atidzah, Executive Member of the Coalition of NGOs in Health.