Ghana recorded 13,951 new HIV infections in 2025, with the Greater Accra Region accounting for the highest number of new cases and the North East Region recording the fewest, according to the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC).
The figures were presented by the Commission’s Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, Isaiah Doe Kwao, during the dissemination of the 2025 National HIV Estimates and Projections on July 21, 2026.
Kwao said 1,227 of the new infections occurred among children aged between zero and 14 years, while 12,724 were recorded among adults aged 15 years and above.
He also disclosed that Ghana recorded 12,051 AIDS-related deaths in 2025, comprising 1,518 children and 10,533 adults.
According to the report, an estimated 337,435 people were living with HIV in Ghana at the end of 2025. Of that number, 221,707, representing 65.7 per cent, were women, while 115,728, representing 34.3 per cent, were men.
Children aged up to 14 years accounted for 21,922 of the total population living with HIV, with adults aged 15 years and above making up the remaining 315,513.
Kwao further revealed that 236,143 people knew their HIV status, 190,413 were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 174,692 had achieved viral suppression.
He said Ghana’s progress towards the global 95-95-95 HIV targets currently stands at 70-81-92.
Despite the new infections, Kwao noted that the country has seen an estimated decline in HIV prevalence, new infections and AIDS-related deaths, attributing the progress to increased access to ART services.
“There is the need to sustain efforts at eliminating HIV and AIDS, which include increased awareness, testing and access to treatment to ensure the country achieves epidemic control,” he said.
Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Kharmacelle Akanbong, said Ghana has made significant progress in expanding HIV prevention, testing, treatment and viral suppression through the combined efforts of government agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, researchers, healthcare workers and communities.
However, he cautioned that the epidemic continues to affect regions, districts and age groups unevenly, highlighting the need to address disparities in access to HIV services.
“The estimates should inform strategic investment, strengthen our health systems, enhance service delivery and ensure that no population or geographic area is left behind,” he said.
The World Health Organization’s Technical Lead for HIV, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis in Ghana, Dr Kafui Senya, noted that although global HIV infections have fallen by about 40 per cent and AIDS-related deaths by 58 per cent since 2010, the epidemic remains a major public health challenge.
He said an estimated 1.3 million new HIV infections and 630,000 AIDS-related deaths were recorded worldwide in 2024, underscoring the need for sustained action.
Programme Manager of the National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, Dr Emmanuel A. A. Teviu, urged stakeholders to use the latest estimates to accelerate efforts towards achieving the 95-95-95 targets, while Governing Board Chair of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Kakra Essamuah, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the national HIV response through evidence-based interventions and equitable access to quality healthcare.
