The Ghana AIDS Commission has initiated an assertive campaign to combat the rise of new HIV infections in the country.
The Commission is particularly focused on individuals who engage in sexual activity with partners or multiple partners for financial gain, urging them to be aware of their own HIV status as well as that of their clients before engaging in sexual encounters.
Ghana has set ambitious goals, aiming to reduce new HIV infections in the general population by 85% by the year 2025 and ultimately eliminate the virus entirely by 2030.
Dr. Steve Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, has provided guidance on steps that individuals can take to help curb the spread of HIV.
“If you want to reduce the risk you first reduce the number of sex partners and if that is too difficult for you then you have to protect yourself at all times because you do not know what your client is capable of giving you.”
“You also have to test to know your HIV status because for you to effectively protect yourself against HIV you should know whether you have it or not, and do well to know the HIV status of your partner.”
“Now, we have self-test kits which are free, so you can have as many as you want and encourage your partners to test if you’re a sex worker,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of reducing the number of sexual partners to lower the risk of transmission. If that proves challenging, individuals are advised to consistently protect themselves, as they may not know the potential risks posed by their partners.
Furthermore, Dr. Atuahene stressed the significance of getting tested for HIV to be informed about one’s own status and that of their partner. He highlighted the availability of free self-test kits, encouraging individuals, particularly sex workers, to utilize them and encourage their partners to do the same.
Dr. Atuahene also cautioned against the dangers of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) apart from HIV, underscoring the importance of staying safe and practicing protection.
Recently, the Ghana AIDS Commission disclosed a concerning statistic: over 100,000 individuals in Ghana are carriers of HIV, and many of them are unaware of their status, contributing to the further spread of the virus.
Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene emphasized the Commission’s proactive approach, launching an intensive search for these carriers to provide them with necessary treatment.
The campaign to promote HIV self-testing is a direct response to this challenge. Dr. Atuahene highlighted the Commission’s commitment to reaching underserved populations and making testing services more accessible.
He explained, “There are individuals who lack access to HIV services, and some may find it difficult to access these services. By bringing the services to their doorstep, we can empower those who may be hesitant to know their status to begin the process of testing and determine whether they are reactive or not.”