Ghana Records Nearly 14,000 New HIV Infections In 2025, Women Account For 63.8%
Ghana recorded 13,951 new HIV infections in 2025, with women accounting for 8,900 of the cases, representing 63.8 per cent of the total, according to figures from the Ghana AIDS Commission.
The statistics have raised concerns about the spread of the virus, with health officials identifying risky sexual practices as one of the factors contributing to new infections.
Greater Accra recorded the highest number of new cases, with 3,141 infections. The region also had the largest population of people living with HIV, a trend partly linked to its high population concentration.
The Commission’s Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Isaiah Doe Kwao, presented the figures at the 2026 HIV and AIDS Partnership Forum, where he called for stronger prevention, testing and treatment measures.
He also emphasised the need for increased public education and financial support to strengthen Ghana’s response to HIV.
The figures indicate that Ghana remains behind schedule in meeting the global 95-95-95 HIV targets under its 2026–2030 National Strategic Plan.
The targets seek to ensure that 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Mr Kwao said more than 330,000 people were living with HIV in Ghana at the end of 2025, with Greater Accra accounting for over 77,000 cases, the highest among the regions.
He attributed the high numbers in densely populated areas partly to population size and sexual behaviour, noting that heterosexual intercourse remains the leading mode of HIV transmission.
“This is important because in populations where there are more people, you realise that more people are engaging in heterosexual sex, which is the highest mode of transmission,” he said.
He stressed, however, that the main priority should be finding effective ways to prevent further infections rather than focusing only on the number of cases.
“But the most important is what are we doing to reduce these numbers?” he asked.
Mr Kwao identified unprotected sex and having multiple sexual partners as major behaviours that could increase the risk of contracting HIV. He also cited casual sexual encounters and relationships outside committed partnerships as practices that could contribute to the spread of the virus.
“For example, side chickism, hookups, people having sex without using a condom. This is one of the most critical transmission modes to get HIV and AIDS,” he said.
He urged sexually active people to know their HIV status, use condoms consistently and avoid behaviours that could expose them to infection.
Mr Kwao further advised those who test negative to practise safer sex and remain faithful to their partners.
“If you should go and test, if you test and you are negative, you live a non-risky life. You stick to your partner. It’s as simple as that. And be faithful to your partner,” he said.
The Commission is calling for stronger prevention, testing and treatment efforts, alongside increased public awareness and financial support, as it works towards the objectives of its 2026–2030 National Strategic Plan.
