World AIDS Day 2024 was marked with a strong call to action as stakeholders in Ghana gathered to emphasize the importance of safe sex practices and the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.
The event, themed “Take the Rights Path #EndAIDSNow, brought together health officials, activists, and community members in a vibrant health walk and rally held in Accra on Saturday, November 23.
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The event was organized by the Ghana HIV & AIDS Network (GHANET), in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), Ghana AIDS Commission and other stakeholders. It aimed to raise awareness about the disease, educating participants on safe sexual practices, including using condoms and avoiding indiscriminate and unprotected sex.
Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, Program Manager of the National AIDS Control Programme, during the 2024 World AIDS Day Health Walk and Rally in Accra on Saturday, November 23, revealed that Ghana has recorded 35,000 new HIV infections and 900 deaths in 2024.
Dr. Ayisi Addo emphasized that HIV/AIDS remains a significant threat to public health.
“HIV is still real, and all of us need to protect and guard ourselves against having unprotected sex, especially when we don’t know the status of the person we are engaging with,” he said.
He expressed concern over the alarming numbers and warned that the situation could worsen without concerted efforts, such as sustained education, awareness campaigns, and the removal of taxes on essential health commodities.
Dr. Ayisi Addo explained the various ways HIV is transmitted, emphasizing the need for awareness to prevent its spread.
He indicated that the virus is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, especially unprotected sex with someone whose HIV status is unknown.
He said it can also spread through sharing needles or using contaminated syringes, which directly expose individuals to infected blood. Additionally, HIV can be transmitted through contact with infected blood and from an HIV-positive mother to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
He emphasized that these transmission routes highlight the importance of safe practices, regular testing, and access to medical care, such as antiretroviral therapy, to reduce the risk and curb the spread of the virus. He noted that although HIV has no cure, it can be managed with proper medical care to prevent its progression to AIDS.
Referring to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, which aims to end AIDS by 2030, Dr. Ayisi Addo stressed the need for intensified efforts.
“With the best measures in place, we can eradicate AIDS by the target year,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of stigmatization as a barrier to combating the disease. According to him, societal discrimination discourages individuals from seeking treatment or openly associating with others for fear of being labeled as HIV-positive.
The rally also provided a platform for political leaders, including parliamentary candidates, to share their policies on tackling HIV/AIDS. Organizers encouraged politicians to use their influence to support initiatives aimed at eradicating the disease.
Akim Djaneye-Afreh, Executive Director of Omega Project Management Foundation, emphasized the importance of supporting individuals living with HIV, stating, “Supporting victims makes them feel loved and gives them hope for the future.”
She urged Ghanaians to take proactive steps to protect themselves by using condoms, practicing safe sex, and getting regular health check-ups.
The Health Walk and Rally ended with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to fight HIV/AIDS through awareness, education, and community support. While the challenges remain significant, speakers at the event expressed optimism that, with collective efforts, Ghana can make meaningful progress toward ending AIDS by 2030.
