Financing gap hindering fight against HIV and AIDS – Ghana AIDS Commission

Ghana is grappling with a major setback in its healthcare financing following the withdrawal of $78 million in USAID health support. The country now faces a funding gap of millions of dollars to meet its 2025 health needs.

The Ghana AIDS Commission says the government’s pledged $8.4 million remains unreleased, hindering efforts to sustain the national fight against HIV and AIDS. This was made known at the 14th National HIV & AIDS Partnership Forum held on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

Recent data from 2024 reveals that 334,721 people, including women and children, are currently living with HIV in Ghana. The figures are largely attributed to higher testing rates among women compared to men.

During the same period, over 15,000 new infections were recorded, along with 12,614 AIDS-related deaths. Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana AIDS Commission, Isaiah Doe Kwao, highlighted the rising prevalence of HIV in Ghana. He attributed the trend to risky sexual behavior and low condom use.

“Ghanaians can live risk-free lives. You see, ABC is still very important. You either abstain, if you can. If you cannot be faithful to your partner, choose one girlfriend or one wife. If that doesn’t work for you, use condoms consistently and correctly when having sex,” he said.

Acting Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, said the financing gap is severely affecting their ability to raise awareness.

“It must be noted that domestic seed funding for the National HIV-AIDS Fund remains outstanding. We continue to face significant financing gaps, which must be addressed through strengthened partnerships, innovative financing, and improved efficiency,” he stated.

Representing the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, Deputy Chief of Staff Nana Oye Bampoe Addo assured stakeholders: “At the policy level, the government is redirecting resources, deepening partnerships with the private sector, and introducing structural fiscal reforms, including widening the tax base. External aid is no longer a reliable strategy, we all agree. If we are to end AIDS by 2030, we must prioritise prevention and repurpose our budgets.”

Despite the challenges, the Ghana AIDS Commission remains hopeful that the country will meet its target to eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat.

Source: Citinewsonline