Ghana has recorded a notable decline in both new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, according to the 2025 National HIV Estimates and Projections released by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC).
The latest figures show that new HIV infections fell from 16,189 in 2024 to 13,951 in 2025. AIDS-related deaths also dropped from 13,429 to 12,051 over the same period, representing an almost 14 per cent reduction.
Speaking at the presentation of the report in Accra on Monday, July 20, the Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana AIDS Commission, Isaiah Doe Kwao, attributed the improvement to sustained investment in HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services nationwide.
He said the progress demonstrates that Ghana’s HIV response is moving in the right direction, although more work is needed to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
“Ghana’s HIV response is making progress, but we still have more work to do to reach epidemic control and ensure that no one is left behind,” Mr. Kwao stated.
The report estimates that 337,435 people are currently living with HIV in Ghana. Of that number, 315,513 are adults aged 15 years and above, while 21,922 are children under the age of 15.
It also revealed that 19,528 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 are living with HIV, with young people aged 15 to 24 accounting for 33,317 cases.
Launching the report, the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kharmacelle Akanbong, stressed that reducing new HIV infections remains central to Ghana’s national response, noting that every new infection increases the number of people who require lifelong treatment and support.
He explained that although the country has made encouraging progress, sustained efforts are needed to further reduce infections and deaths to achieve epidemic control.
“Epidemic control means new infections and AIDS deaths must continue to decline. Ideally, there should be no new infections, although that is difficult to attain. Our goal is to reduce them to the lowest possible level,” Dr. Akanbong said.
He projected that, with continued improvements in prevention programmes, testing services and treatment coverage, new HIV infections could fall to about 6,430 by 2030, while AIDS-related deaths could reduce to approximately 4,893.
Dr. Akanbong also noted that Ghana’s adult HIV prevalence among people aged 15 to 49 has steadily declined over the past decade, dropping from 1.79 per cent in 2015 to 1.40 per cent in 2025. The figure is projected to decline further to 1.18 per cent by 2030.
He attributed the reduction in prevalence to expanded access to antiretroviral therapy, early initiation of treatment and improved retention of patients in care.
Despite the gains, Dr. Akanbong cautioned that significant challenges remain, particularly in identifying people who are unaware of their HIV status, expanding access to testing and maintaining a reliable supply of antiretroviral medicines.
He, therefore, called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, healthcare professionals and local communities to sustain the progress made and accelerate efforts towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
