As the world prepares to mark World AIDS Day on December 1st, Ghana confronts a heart-wrenching reality that demands our attention and compassion.
245,295 children have been orphaned by AIDS, a staggering figure that represents entire generations of young lives forever changed.
Across all ages, 334,095 individuals are living with HIV. Of these, 316,545 are adults, while 17,550 are children under 15. The most vulnerable populations—adolescents and young people—bear a significant burden. Among 10-19 year olds, 16,381 are HIV positive, and in the 15-24 age group, 33,245 individuals are affected.
New infections continue to pose a serious threat. In 2023, Ghana saw 17,774 new HIV cases, with 16,076 among adults and 1,698 among children under 15. The breakdown is particularly concerning for young people, with 1,520 new infections among adolescents and 4,867 among those aged 15-24.
Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene in an interview on the Happy Morning Show explained why children contracting the disease are high in number. He noted that most women, especially during pregnancy, do not attend the Mother to Child prevention program, which is why most children are born with the disease.
“Most mothers do not go for the child prevention program during pregnancy, which is why most children contract the disease. There are a lot of preventive measures to protect the mother and child, so don’t neglect it,” he stated.
The human toll extends to devastating mortality rates. AIDS-related deaths reached 12,480 in 2023, including 11,082 adults and 1,398 children under 15. Among these, 541 were adolescents, and 720 were young people aged 15-24.
Behind these numbers are real families torn apart, children left vulnerable, and communities struggling to cope. Each statistic represents a life interrupted, a future uncertain, a dream potentially lost.
Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive approach. Education emerges as our most powerful tool. We must focus on comprehensive sexual health education. This means creating safe spaces for open, honest conversations about HIV prevention, transmission, and protection.
Promoting condom use remains critical. But this goes hand in hand with encouraging responsible sexual behaviour and supporting abstinence programs. Young people need accurate, judgment-free information that empowers them to make informed decisions about their health and future
