Disclosures on HIV Transmission in Ghana

Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, the President of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET), recently shared that a striking 80 percent of HIV infections in Ghana are due to sexual intercourse. This information was unveiled during a Valentine’s Day outreach event at West Hills Mall in Accra, where GHANET handed out HIV self-test kits and condoms to the community as part of their initiative to minimize new infections.

While there are other ways HIV can be transmitted, Mr. Ortsin pointed out that sexual activity is, by far, the leading method in the country. He remarked, “Of every ten people infected with HIV, eight got the virus through sexual intercourse.” This alarming statistic has prompted GHANET to ramp up public education and preventative campaigns, especially during festive occasions like Valentine’s Day, which tends to see an uptick in sexual activity.

The distribution of condoms, he mentioned, is focused on encouraging safe sex practices to help prevent the spread of the virus further. But, Mr. Ortsin was clear that this initiative on Valentine’s Day isn’t about promoting casual relationships; rather, it’s a proactive measure to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. He stressed that the distribution should be seen through the lens of public health responsibility—protecting lives is the priority.

Additionally, he highlighted the issue of mother-to-child transmission, noting that HIV can be transmitted during pregnancy or breastfeeding, particularly when the mother isn’t strictly following her prescribed antiretroviral treatment. He urged mothers living with HIV to adhere to their medication regimens to greatly reduce the odds of passing the virus to their infants.

Mr. Ortsin reiterated GHANET’s commitment to ongoing public education and outreach, aiming to boost awareness throughout the nation. He assured that the organization would persist with its efforts in alignment with global objectives to eradicate HIV/AIDS within the timelines established by international health organizations.

This Valentine’s Day initiative is just one facet of a larger national strategy to lessen new infections, promote responsible sexual behavior, and ultimately reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Ghana.