Over 70,000 people estimated to be living with HIV in Ashanti Region

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A Ghana Aids Commission report from 2022 estimated that 72,429 people in Ghana's Ashanti Region were living with HIV. However, only 26,006 of these individuals were receiving life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment through local health facilities. This left 46,421 people who were either undiagnosed or had stopped treatment. 


Mr. Dennis Bandoh, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Focal Person for HIV/AIDS, provided more recent data to the Ghana News Agency. He disclosed that in the first three quarters of 2023, the region saw 4,618 new HIV cases. This represented a concerning 2.1% rise from the previous year.


HIV testing in Ashanti occurs through two main programs. One focuses on preventing mother-to-child transmission, targeting pregnant women. The other offers general testing for non-pregnant individuals. Under these initiatives, 681 pregnant women and 3,937 others tested HIV-positive.


A major challenge, according to Mr. Bandoh, is that men rarely test voluntarily due to reluctance. Some wrongly assume they are HIV-negative if their partner tested negative while pregnant. However, partners can have differing statuses without realizing. He underscored the importance of everyone getting tested, regardless of a partner's result. 


Mr. Bandoh further highlighted that early treatment initiation can stop the virus from progressing to AIDS. He urged newly diagnosed people to seek care at convenient local facilities. 


At-risk groups cited in available research include men who have sex with men, female sex workers, long-haul truck drivers, and members of the security forces. Their occupations and behaviors potentially expose them to higher risk for contracting HIV through unprotected sex with multiple partners.


Novel strategies being used to boost testing rates incorporate recommending that infected individuals encourage close friends and sex partners to also get screened. Additionally, self-test kits have been distributed across all regional health centers for walk-in access.

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