Mahama Urges Youth-Led Action as HIV Infections Rise Among Young Ghanaians

President John Dramani Mahama has raised alarm over the increasing rates of HIV infections among young people in Ghana, calling for urgent, youth-led national action to tackle the crisis.

Speaking at the launch of Ghana’s 2025 Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, President Mahama described the trend as “deeply worrying and avoidable,” attributing it to gaps in education, communication, and support systems.

“We are also alarmed by the rising HIV rates, especially amongst our young people,” he said. “This points to a failure in communications, stigma, and limited access to sexual health education.”

Mahama emphasized the importance of empowering the youth to take charge of HIV prevention efforts. He advocated for a national conversation led by young people, with support from schools, healthcare workers, families, and the media.

“We need a bold, youth-led national conversation on prevention,” he stated. “Prevention is essential, but empowerment is the key.”

The former president highlighted the issue as part of a broader assessment of Ghana’s progress toward the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, urging stakeholders to act swiftly with only five years left to meet the global targets.