PUBLIC EDUCATION
HIV Cases Rising in Central Region – We Need to Wake Up – Abraham Armah, EAI’s Volunteer.
Many people in the Central Region remain unaware of the alarming increase in the number of People Living With HIV (PLHIV). Yet, the latest report by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) paints a troubling picture that cannot be ignored.
Recent GHS Report Reveals:
A total of 24,184 people in the Central Region have tested positive for HIV.
22,749 are aged 15 years and above.
1,435 are children.
71% (17,588) of these are females, with the highest numbers.
29% (6,596) are males.
5.9% of those infected are children.
The Ghana Health Service warns that if urgent steps are not taken, this rise will affect the socioeconomic and health development of the region. HIV is silently breaking homes, destroying lives, and reducing productivity — especially among the youth and women.
Ghana Health Service Statement: “The increase in HIV cases in the Central Region is worrying. We must all work together – from the health sector to community leaders, churches, schools, and media – to intensify education, testing, and treatment. Early testing saves lives. Ignorance and stigma kill faster than the virus itself.” – Ghana Health Service
What Needs to Be Done:
Health Sector: Strengthen HIV testing and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centers in all districts.
NGOs & Civil Society: Launch intensive HIV awareness and outreach campaigns.
Religious Institutions: Break the silence in churches, mosques, and other religious platforms.
Parents & Teachers: Educate children and young people about prevention.
Everyone: Know your status, avoid risky behaviors, and stop the stigma.
HIV is not a curse or punishment. It is a medical condition that can be managed if detected early. The biggest enemies are silence, ignorance, and stigma.
People must get tested, and those living with the virus should be supported, not judged. Let’s stop pretending it’s not our problem – it affects us all.
The rise in HIV cases in the Central Region is real and dangerous. We must rise above fear, shame, and misinformation to fight it together.
Warm regards
William Boadi
Executive Director of EAI,
Anthony Cobbinah
Dir. Quality Assurance and Advocacy, and Educational Psychologist.
+233243679469
EAI: EDUCATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.
