World AIDS Day: GHANET Urges Youth to Rethink Risky Sexual Behaviors.

Accra: Mr. Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, President of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET), has called upon the youth to exercise caution in engaging in risky sexual behaviors, emphasizing that the fight against HIV and AIDS is far from over. He expressed concern over the recent increase in sex parties and transactional sex, as well as reports of low condom usage. This statement was part of a press release issued in connection with the 2024 World AIDS Day, themed "Take the Rights Path: Ending AIDS Together, Stepping Up Prevention Efforts."According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ortsin highlighted that despite a decline in the national HIV prevalence rate to 1.53 percent, the number of new infections remains troubling. The Ghana AIDS Commission reported 17,774 new infections in 2023, and between January and September of this year, the National AIDS/STI Control Programme noted approximately 34,000 newly diagnosed HIV cases. These figures illustrate that HIV and AIDS continue to pose significant challenges, notwithst anding progress made in previous years.Mr. Ortsin urged the government to explore innovative strategies in the ongoing battle against HIV and AIDS. He noted the public's positive reception of HIV Self-Testing kits and the increasing demand for them. He also advocated for a broader implementation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Post Exposure Prophylaxis initiatives to enhance their acceptance, especially among the youth, and to boost condom usage.The involvement of the private sector, particularly community pharmacies, is crucial in supporting these initiatives by ensuring the availability of necessary commodities throughout the country. Mr. Ortsin highlighted Ghana's current progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets as falling short. Only 65 percent of the estimated 334,000 individuals living with HIV have been tested, with 69 percent of those tested receiving treatment, and 89 percent of treated individuals achieving viral suppression.Moreover, Mr. Ortsin expressed concerns about the Global Fund's p otential withdrawal of support as it transitions out of certain countries. He advocated for the operationalization of the National HIV and AIDS Fund, as proposed by the Ghana AIDS Commission's Act, 2016 (Act 938), to ensure sustainable funding.As Ghana gears up to host the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa in December 2025, GHANET has called for widespread support from all sectors of Ghanaian society to ensure the event's success.