According to the 2023 HIV Estimates and Projection report, 92% of people living with HIV are concentrated in the southern part of the country.
The report revealed that Accra Metro has the highest number of people living with HIV, followed closely by Kumasi and other districts in the south.
In fact, the top 10 districts with the highest number of people living with HIV are all located in the south, with:
– Accra Metro having the highest number at 6,688
– Kumasi following closely with 5,437
– Ledzokuku with 5,419
– Ga West with 5,271
– Tema with 5,118
– Kpone-Katamanso with 4,952
– Lower Manya Krobo with 4,925
– Techiman Municipal with 4,850
– La Nkwantanang-Madina with 4,323
– Afigya Kwabre South with 4,158
But that’s not all – there’s been a 9% increase in HIV population from 2013 to 2023, with a total of 334,095 people across Ghana living with HIV in 2023. Of that number, 17,550 are children under 15, while adults aged 15+ make up 316,545.
Here’s the breakdown:
– 65.3% are women and girls
– 5% are adolescents aged 10-19
– 10% are young people aged 15-24
– 85% are adults aged 25+
The good news is that many people living with HIV in Ghana know their status – 65% to be exact. And of those who know their status, 69% are on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), with 89% achieving viral suppression.
But there’s more to be done! To combat HIV/AIDS, we need to:
– Increase access to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART)
– Educate communities about HIV prevention and treatment
– Combat stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV
– Promote condom use and abstinence
– Support those living with HIV and their families
As we mark World AIDS Day on December 1st, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and recommit to supporting those living with HIV and preventing new infections.
[11:14, 29/11/2024] Bridget Mensah: Happy 98.9FM concludes “Happy on Wheels” with pre-election dialogue
Happy 98.9FM concluded its “Happy on Wheels” community engagement series with a landmark event at the Neoplan Station in Circle, marking a pivotal moment in Ghana’s pre-election activities.
The comprehensive year-long tour, which traversed critical constituencies including Korle Klottey, Odododiodoo, Ashaiman, Nsawam, Anyaa-Sowutwuom, Bortianor-Ngleshie Amanfrom, Dome Kwabenya, Madina, and Ledzokuku, culminated in a powerful four-hour forum that gave voice to the hopes, concerns, and aspirations of Ghanaian citizens.
The event brought together a diverse array of political voices and community leaders, creating a dynamic platform for meaningful dialogue. Mavis Yeboah from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) shared her personal journey as a beneficiary of the Free Senior High School program, highlighting its impact by emphasizing that 5.7 million young Ghanaians have benefited by 2023. She detailed infrastructure developments, particularly noting four completed hospitals in the Ashanti region and various road construction projects completed over the past eight years.
Representing the opposition, Albert Lutterodt Jnr., Deputy Communication Officer at Klottey Korle from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), provided a contrasting perspective, articulating the economic challenges facing Ghanaians and calling for a comprehensive national reset.
The final ‘Happy on wheels’ for 2024 offered an unprecedented opportunity for citizens to directly engage with the electoral process. Participants from various backgrounds shared their perspectives, concerns, and hopes for Ghana’s future.
Additional attendees included Paul Akwasi Agyei from the NPP communication team and Andrew Addy, Executive Director of Vocal Essence Chorale, who contributed to the depth and breadth of the discussions.
Kwabena Ampong, popularly known as Simpleman and Programmes Manager of Happy FM, reflected on the event’s broader significance. “This is more than just a political forum,” Simpleman stated. “It’s a celebration of Ghana’s democratic spirit, a platform that empowers citizens to be active participants in shaping our nation’s future.”
The event serves as a critical precursor to GMABC’s comprehensive election coverage initiative, “Election Camp,” and comes at a crucial time – just eight days before the December 7 general elections. It embodied Happy 98.9FM’s commitment to fostering transparent, inclusive, and meaningful political engagement.
