Chairman of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) Governing Board, Kakra Essamuah, has called for national ownership of Ghana’s HIV response as global funding priorities threaten its sustainability
He said the future of HIV programming depended on the country’s ability to mobilise domestic resources, strengthen partnerships, and sustain political, financial, and social commitment to ending AIDS.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 World AIDS Day in Accra on Tuesday, Mr Essamuah urged private sector involvement, noting that HIV affects workforce productivity and economic growth.
“The private sector must rise to the challenge by investing in workplace HIV programmes, supporting awareness and testing campaigns,” he said.
Acting Director-General of the GAC, Dr Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, said Ghana must respond to global economic pressures and address persistent barriers in HIV prevention, especially considering declining donor support.
He appealed to Ghanaians to contribute to the National HIV and AIDS Fund, stating, “Ghana must mobilise, innovate and lead the HIV response.”
Dr Akanbong condemned stigma and discrimination against persons living with HIV.
“HIV is a health condition that is manageable, and people living with HIV have the right to dignity, respect and full participation in society,” he said.
Dr Akanbong described this year’s global theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” as reflective of Ghana’s current challenges.
“Across the globe, and here in Ghana, our HIV response has encountered significant disruptions: funding constraints, shifting global priorities, competing health emergencies and evolving social dynamics,” he added.
Dr Akanbong said the Commission would work with stakeholders to protect and accelerate gains made in HIV prevention.
World AIDS Day is marked annually to renew national commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
This year’s celebration will promote remote voluntary testing, linkage to care, treatment, and retention, in line with the UN 95-95-95 targets.
The event would also serve as a platform to advocate for increased domestic financing through the National HIV and AIDS Fund.
The GAC seeks to intensify community-level education on prevention, treatment, and stigma reduction throughout November.
Dr Akanbong said media outreach and condom distribution activities would be undertaken nationwide, and called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies to support local efforts.
He announced that the celebration would be climaxed on Monday, December 1, 2025, with a national address by President John Dramani Mahama on Ghana’s HIV response.
