Ghana has recorded a significant decline in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, according to the 2025 National HIV Estimates and Projections Report released by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC).

The report indicates that new HIV infections reduced from 16,189 cases in 2024 to 13,951 cases in 2025, while AIDS-related deaths also declined from 13,429 to 12,051 during the same period, representing nearly a 14 per cent reduction.

Presenting the estimates in Accra on Monday, July 20, the Director for Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E) at the Ghana AIDS Commission, Isaiah Doe Kwao, said the improvement reflects the impact of sustained investments in HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services across the country.

According to him, the figures show that Ghana’s HIV response is achieving meaningful results, although more work remains to be done to meet the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“Ghana’s HIV response is making progress, but we still have more work to do to reach epidemic control and ensure that no one is left behind,” Mr Kwao said.

The 2025 estimates revealed that approximately 337,435 people of all ages are currently living with HIV in Ghana.

Out of this figure:

• 315,513 are adults aged 15 years and above
• 21,922 are children below 15 years

The report also showed that 19,528 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years are living with HIV, while young people aged 15 to 24 years account for 33,317 cases.

Speaking at the launch of the report, the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Kharmacelle Akanbong, stressed that preventing new HIV infections remains a major priority in Ghana’s fight against the epidemic.

He explained that every new infection increases the number of people who require lifelong treatment and healthcare support.

Dr Akanbong noted that although Ghana has made steady progress, achieving epidemic control will require further reductions in both new infections and AIDS-related deaths.

“Epidemic control means new infections and AIDS deaths must continue to come down. There should ideally be no new infections, although that is difficult to achieve. The objective is to reduce them to the lowest possible level,” he stated.

The GAC Director-General projected that with continued investment in prevention programmes, testing services and treatment coverage, new HIV infections could fall further from 13,951 in 2025 to about 6,430 by 2030.

He also projected that AIDS-related deaths could reduce from 12,051 in 2025 to approximately 4,893 by 2030.

The report further showed that Ghana’s adult HIV prevalence rate among persons aged 15 to 49 years has continued to decline, moving from 1.79 per cent in 2015 to 1.40 per cent in 2025, with projections indicating a further drop to 1.18 per cent by 2030.

Dr Akanbong attributed the decline in HIV prevalence to improved access to antiretroviral medicines, early treatment initiation and better retention of patients receiving HIV care.

However, he warned that challenges remain, especially in identifying people who are unaware of their HIV status, expanding access to testing services and ensuring a consistent supply of essential HIV medicines.

He called for stronger cooperation among government agencies, development partners, healthcare professionals and communities to sustain the progress made and bring Ghana closer to achieving the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Sourc:Citinewsroom

The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (CAGG) has dismissed the government’s claim that the “era of impunity is over” in the fight against illegal mining, arguing that widespread galamsey activities across several parts of the country prove that lawlessness remains deeply entrenched.

In a statement issued in Accra on Monday, July 20, the coalition acknowledged what it described as notable progress by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources but maintained that enforcement efforts remain inconsistent and inadequate to effectively protect Ghana’s forests, rivers and mining communities.

According to CAGG, the success of the anti-galamsey campaign will not be measured by official announcements but by sustained, impartial enforcement against offenders, regardless of their political or financial influence.

“Ghana’s forests, rivers and mining communities are not protected by press briefings. They are protected by sustained, fearless and uniform enforcement, applied equally in every region, against every excavator, and irrespective of whose interests stand in the way,” the coalition stated.

Achimota Forest Decision Praised

The coalition commended the government for revoking Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, as amended by E.I. 234, which had removed portions of the Achimota Forest Reserve from protected status. It described the Cabinet’s decision as a significant step toward preserving one of Accra’s most important ecological assets.

CAGG also welcomed the Attorney-General’s decision to withdraw charges against the “Atronsu Five” and urged both the Attorney-General and the Inspector-General of Police to ensure justice for 13-year-old Pious Nketia Nkansah, who was allegedly murdered.

Forest Reserves Still Under Siege

Despite ongoing operations to remove illegal miners from forest reserve “red zones,” the coalition warned that several protected areas remain under serious threat.

It identified the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Cape Three Points Forest Reserve, Afao Hills Forest Reserve and the Draw River Forest Reserve as hotspots where illegal mining continues to pose a major environmental risk.

To strengthen conservation efforts, CAGG called for increased funding for the Forestry Commission, the establishment of permanent security camps within forest reserves and renewed efforts to fulfil government’s pledge to upgrade Atewa Forest into a national park.

Illegal Mining Continues Across Regions

Rejecting the Ministry’s assertion that impunity has ended, the coalition pointed to continued illegal mining activities in the Eastern, Ashanti, Bono and Western regions.

According to CAGG, illegal mining remains active around the Birim, Densu and Ayensu river basins, near the Bui Hydroelectric Dam, around Lake Bosomtwe and within the Ahwiren wetlands.

The group also questioned what it described as selective enforcement and urged President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that all individuals implicated in illegal mining offences are investigated and prosecuted without fear or favour.

Questions Raised Over NAIMOS

CAGG further expressed concern about the operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS).

Although it acknowledged the secretariat’s reported record of conducting more than 200 operations, the coalition said allegations of selective enforcement and claims that seized excavators had been returned to offenders after payments deserve immediate investigation.

It urged NAIMOS to publicly respond to the allegations and improve transparency by publishing details of its complaint-handling procedures and enforcement outcomes.

Police and Local Authorities Urged to Do More

The coalition also criticised what it described as weak enforcement by sections of the Ghana Police Service, arguing that deploying additional Blue Water Guards alone would not solve the galamsey problem unless intelligence gathered from the field results in swift arrests and prosecutions.

It called for tighter supervision of police commanders in mining districts, disciplinary action against officers who fail to enforce the law, stricter regulation of excavator movements and tighter controls over fuel supplies to illegal mining operators.

Coalition Calls for Stronger Reforms

While welcoming government’s plans to amend the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), CAGG insisted that the revised legislation must provide stronger protection for forests, water bodies and mining communities.

The coalition also called for the publication of the Constitutional Review Committee’s report, the prosecution of alleged galamsey kingpins, greater transparency in environmental governance and the regular release of reports on water quality, forest conditions and prosecutions.

CAGG reaffirmed its willingness to work with the government to strengthen environmental protection but cautioned that failure to decisively tackle illegal mining could have devastating long-term consequences for the country.

“We either deal with this menace or we perish, because without clean water, clean air and standing forests, we are done as a people,” the statement concluded.

The Ashanti Caucus of New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament has reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ashanti Regional Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, following the High Court judgment delivered on July 20, 2026.

In a statement signed by Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq., Secretary of the Ashanti Caucus NPP MPs, the caucus described Chairman Wontumi as a fearless, resilient, and selfless leader whose immense sacrifices and dedication have played a significant role in strengthening the NPP in the Ashanti Region and across Ghana.

According to the MPs, Chairman Wontumi’s contribution to the party’s growth, organization, and electoral successes cannot be erased by a single court decision, especially one that remains subject to the constitutional appellate process.

The caucus stressed that while it fully respects the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, it also believes in the constitutional right of every citizen to challenge judicial decisions through the courts. The MPs expressed confidence that justice would ultimately prevail during the appeal process.

Rejecting suggestions that the judgment marks the end of Chairman Wontumi’s political career, the Ashanti Caucus argued that the ruling should instead strengthen the resolve of NPP members to stand firmly behind a leader who has consistently defended the ideals and values of the party.

“The Ashanti Region has always been the heartbeat of our Party, and history has shown that we do not abandon our own in moments of adversity,” the statement said, assuring Chairman Wontumi that he does not face the situation alone.

The caucus also raised concerns about what it described as a growing perception of selective justice and the unequal application of the law. It maintained that the fight against illegality must be conducted fairly, impartially, and without political influence.

According to the MPs, justice must never be used as a tool for political intimidation or for settling political scores. They called on state institutions to ensure that the law is applied equally to all citizens regardless of political affiliation.

The Ashanti Caucus further appealed to members of the NPP, particularly those in the Ashanti Region, to remain calm, united, and disciplined in the aftermath of the court’s decision. The MPs urged supporters to avoid actions that could undermine public order while demonstrating confidence in both the party and Chairman Wontumi through unity and lawful conduct.

In a direct message to the Ashanti Regional Chairman, the caucus encouraged him to remain steadfast.

“Stay strong. Stay resolute. The Ashanti Caucus stands firmly with you. This battle is not yours alone; it is a test of our collective commitment to justice, fairness, and democratic principles. United we stand. Together we shall overcome,” the statement concluded.

The statement was issued on July 20, 2026, and signed by Hon. Vincent Ekow Assafuah Esq., Secretary of the Ashanti Caucus NPP Members of Parliament.

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