Unprotected Anal And Viginal Sex Causing High HIV Infections

The spike in new HIV infections, which have averaged 21,000 cases yearly in the previous five years, is being attributed to an increase in high-risk behaviors such as unprotected anal and vaginal intercourse with HIV-positive partners.

Adolescent girls and young women continued to experience a high rate of new HIV infections in 2021, accounting for 20% of all new HIV infections, according to Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC).

This was expressed by Dr. Atuahene on Tuesday in Accra at the beginning of the 2022 World AIDS Day campaign.

The occasion served as a springboard for the GAC's 20th-anniversary celebration as well.

According to statistics, 23,495 individuals tested positive for HIV in the first half of this year.

Despite efforts to improve cooperation in the battle against the illness, the director general claimed Ghanaians had grown unduly used to HIV.

While high-risk behaviors have overtaken Ghanaian culture, according to him, HIV preventive guidelines were least obeyed at the individual level.

He emphasized that in order to stop this trend, we must make sure that each person assumes responsibility for protecting themselves from HIV by limiting their sexual partners, using condoms correctly and consistently, and being tested for HIV and other STDs.

Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene urged everyone to provide a hand in the fight against AIDS as the globe faced COVID-19 despite economic challenges.

According to him, Ghana is still struggling to implement the proper program of infection prevention, treatment, care, and support services that are required to end AIDS. These challenges include high levels of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and those who are at risk, as well as insufficient funding.

"Now is the time for all of us to join forces to pursue the HIV elimination agenda", he said.

Speaking on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology Dr. Kwaku Afriyie stated stigma and discrimination against people with HIV continue to be a significant barrier to the nation's response.

He urged everyone to pledge to put in more effort and take more initiative to meet the goals they had set.