Ghana AIDS Commission Alarmed by Rising HIV Cases Among Youth Aged 15–24

The Ghana AIDS Commission has expressed deep concern over a sharp increase in HIV infections among young people, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 24.

Recent data from the Commission indicates a troubling trend: many adolescents and young adults are prioritising the prevention of pregnancy over protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, July 22, the Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Prosper Akanbong, highlighted the rising preference for emergency contraceptives rather than condoms as a key driver of new infections.

“We are witnessing alarmingly high infection rates among the 15 to 24 age group. This progressive rise in HIV cases is very disturbing,” Dr. Akanbong stated.

He explained that many young people perceive pregnancy as a more immediate concern than contracting HIV, leading to a significant increase in the use of emergency contraceptive pills, while condom usage—which offers protection against both pregnancy and STIs—remains low.

“There’s a shift in priorities among young people. The fear of getting pregnant outweighs the fear of contracting infections, and that’s dangerous. Condom use is declining even as emergency contraceptives become more popular,” he lamented.

Dr. Akanbong called for urgent and intensified public education efforts to promote safe sex practices and dispel widespread misconceptions about HIV and reproductive health.