Accra: Ghana recorded a total of 15,290 new HIV infections in 2024, as revealed by Mr Ahmed Ibrahim Bambilla, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC). The statistics highlight a significant gender disparity, with 62 percent of the new infections being female and 32 percent male. Currently, 334,721 individuals in Ghana are living with HIV and AIDS, comprising 69 percent females and 31 percent males, with a national prevalence rate of 1.49 percent.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Bambilla provided a global perspective, stating that 39 million people worldwide are living with HIV and AIDS. Each year, approximately 1.3 million new infections are recorded globally, accompanied by 630,000 related deaths. His remarks were part of separate forums on HIV/AIDS organized by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) for Community Fire and Police Assistants. These events took place at the Duayaw-Nkwanta Fire Academy Training School in the Tano North Municipality and the Kenyasi Police Training School in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region.

The collaboration between the YEA, GAC, Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), and Ghana Police Service (GPS) aimed to raise awareness among participants about HIV and AIDS. Mr Bambilla emphasized the ongoing prevalence of HIV and AIDS as a public health concern and urged the public to safeguard themselves against infections.

He noted that security personnel are particularly vulnerable to HIV and AIDS infections, stressing the importance of a healthy security force in maintaining law and order. Other speakers, including Miss Aabida Abu Ahmed, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of GAC, and Ms Mercy Amokwandoh, Project Officer of the HFFG, educated participants on basic HIV/AIDS facts, prevention strategies, treatment, care, support, and human rights related to the disease.