The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has moved to clarify public discussion around HIV testing during the recent security services recruitment exercise, following media reports about the number of applicants who reportedly recorded reactive HIV test results.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, July 8, the Commission said it considered it necessary to step in because public commentary on HIV must remain “scientifically accurate”, protect human rights and support national efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination.

The Commission said it had taken note of comments circulating in the media about HIV test results recorded during the recruitment process and wanted to explain both the testing procedures and the public health implications of the figures being discussed.

“The Commission considers it important to provide clarification on HIV testing protocols and public communication to ensure that discussions on HIV remain scientifically accurate, protect human rights, and support national efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination,” the statement said.

The Commission addressed reports that about 1,300 out of roughly 100,000 applicants in the security services recruitment exercise had recorded reactive HIV test results.

According to the GAC, that figure works out to about 1.3 per cent of those screened and is broadly in line with Ghana’s national HIV prevalence.

“First, the reported figure of approximately 1,300 reactive HIV test results out of about 100,000 applicants represents approximately 1.3 per cent of those screened,” the Commission said.

It added that the figure “is broadly consistent with Ghana’s estimated national HIV prevalence of 1.49 per cent among adults at the end of 2024” and should therefore not be treated as something out of the ordinary.

“The reported figures should therefore not be interpreted as unusual or indicative of an emerging public health concern,” the statement said.

A major part of the Commission’s statement focused on correcting what it sees as a misunderstanding about the meaning of a reactive HIV test result.

It stressed that under Ghana’s national HIV testing guidelines, a single reactive test result does not amount to a confirmed HIV diagnosis.

“Secondly, the Commission wishes to clarify that, under national HIV testing guidelines, a single reactive HIV test result does not constitute a confirmed HIV diagnosis,” the statement said.

According to the Commission, an initial reactive result is only preliminary and must be followed by further testing before a person’s HIV status can be confirmed.

“An initial reactive result is preliminary and must be followed by the nationally approved three-test serial testing algorithm before an individual’s HIV status can be confirmed,” it explained.

The Commission said this distinction is important and should be reflected clearly in all public communication.

“It is therefore important that public communication accurately distinguishes between an initial reactive screening result and a confirmed HIV-positive diagnosis,” the statement added.

The Ghana AIDS Commission also used the statement to restate the standards that should guide HIV testing in any setting, including recruitment exercises.

It said HIV testing must always be carried out in line with national guidelines, with informed consent, confidentiality, and proper professional counselling.

“The Commission further said that HIV testing should always be conducted in accordance with national guidelines, including informed consent, confidentiality, and appropriate professional counselling,” the statement said.

It added that individuals who receive reactive screening results must be supported to complete the confirmatory testing process and, where necessary, be linked to treatment and care services.

The Commission also highlighted the legal protections available to people living with HIV, warning that HIV status alone should not be used as a basis for denying someone employment or restricting opportunities.

It pointed to the AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act 938), which prohibits discrimination against persons living with HIV in employment and other areas of public life.

“The Ghana AIDS Commission also reiterates that the AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act 938) prohibits discrimination against persons living with HIV in employment and other areas of public life,” the statement said.

It said that “HIV status alone should not constitute grounds for denying employment or otherwise limiting an individual’s opportunities”.

According to the Commission, decisions on whether a person is medically fit for a specific role should be based on proper medical and occupational standards, not fear or misinformation.

“Medical fitness for specific occupations should be determined in accordance with established medical and occupational standards and not on the basis of stigma or misconceptions about HIV,” it said.

The Commission warned that careless public communication around HIV test results can do real harm by reinforcing stigma and discouraging people from seeking testing and treatment.

It said this remains a major concern at a time when Ghana is trying to sustain progress made in HIV prevention, treatment and care.

“The Commission recognises that public communication on HIV, if not carefully framed, may unintentionally reinforce stigma and discourage individuals from accessing HIV testing and treatment services,” the statement said.

It added that Ghana has made “significant progress in expanding access to HIV prevention, treatment and care” and that maintaining those gains depends on creating an environment in which people feel safe to know their status.

“Sustaining these gains requires creating an environment in which people feel confident to know their status without fear of discrimination,” the Commission said.

The Ghana AIDS Commission said it would continue working with Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that HIV testing, counselling and public communication are guided by science, national policy and respect for human rights.

“The Ghana AIDS Commission remains committed to working with all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that HIV testing, counselling and public communication are guided by scientific evidence, national policy and respect for human rights,” the statement said.

It said the country must continue to promote accurate information, encourage voluntary HIV testing, and protect the dignity of all individuals as part of efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

“Together, we can promote accurate information, encourage voluntary HIV testing, protect the dignity of every individual, and accelerate Ghana’s progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” the Commission added.