The Executive Director of the Alliance for Women Opportunities and Development (AfWOD), Precious Mariam Hamidu, has emphasised the importance of continued efforts to deal with the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Ghana.

In her address at Sunyani in the Bono region to join the global community in raising awareness and promoting action to combat HIV and AIDS, Ms Hamidu highlighted the progress Ghana has made in recent years.

She said according to the Ghana AIDS Commission, the country has seen a decline in new HIV infections, with an estimated 19,000 new cases in 2022, compared to 21,000 in 2021, but despite this progress, the fight against HIV and AIDS is far from over.

"Ghana has made significant strides in reducing the rate of new infections, but we must not become complacent.

We need to continue our efforts to educate, prevent, and treat HIV and AIDS, particularly among vulnerable populations, including women and young people," Ms Hamidu stated.

She indicated that statistics from the Ghana Health Service suggest that approximately 350,000 people are living with HIV in Ghana, with women accounting for nearly 60 per cent of this population.

She noted that the prevalence among adults aged 15-49 is estimated at 1.7 per cent, adding that while these figures show a slight improvement, they also underscore the need for targeted interventions.

Ms Hamidu stressed the need to address the social and economic factors that contribute to the spread of HIV.

"Gender inequality, poverty, and lack of access to education and healthcare are significant barriers that must be broken through the empowerment of women and girls, ensuring they have the requisite knowledge and resources to protect themselves," she said.

She affirmed her organisation’s commitment to working with local communities, government agencies, and international partners to enhance HIV prevention and treatment programs with a focus on reducing stigma and discrimination.

"Stigma and discrimination continue to hinder our efforts, so we must create an environment where everyone feels safe to seek testing and treatment without fear of judgment or exclusion," Ms Hamidu noted.

She called on all Ghanaians to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS with a renewed commitment to ending the epidemic.

“As Ghana commemorates this year’s World AIDS Day, AWOD wish to encourage everyone to get involved, whether through education, advocacy, or support for People Living With HIV and AIDS.

 By working together, Ghana can continue to make substantial progress and ensure a healthier future for all its citizens," Ms Hamidu stressed.