The President of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET), Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, has urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant against HIV as they celebrate the New Year.

The first week of a new year is typically marked by various activities, including church services, beach outings, and parties, to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one.

Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews, Mr Amoabeng advised Ghanaians to exercise caution while enjoying the festivities to avoid contracting the virus.

“Someone could be vigilant and protect themselves from the virus throughout the year, but one reckless action on New Year’s Eve in the name of having fun could lead to an HIV infection,” he warned.

He noted that the festive season often leads to an increase in risky behaviours, which in turn results in new infections. To address this, GHANET has intensified its awareness campaign in high-risk areas such as beaches, pubs, and nightclubs.

"Since the beginning of the fourth quarter, we have been visiting thousands of venues across the country, promoting messages of abstinence, protection, and self-testing. Many communities along the beaches have benefited from our outreach programmes, and I can say that some results are already emerging from our efforts," Mr Amoabeng stated.

As part of these efforts, GHANET and its partners have organized a campaign on New Year’s Day at Laboma Beach, a popular destination for revellers in Accra.

Currently, an estimated 334,000 people are living with HIV in Ghana, with only about 200,000 aware of their status. This means over 100,000 individuals are unknowingly carrying the virus. Alarmingly, between January and September 2024, 35,000 new cases were recorded in the country.

“It is for this reason that GHANET is intensifying its awareness efforts and promoting self-testing to help curb the escalating numbers,” Mr Amoabeng emphasized.

To further support the cause, GHANET has donated self-testing kits to JoyNews for distribution to Ghanaians interested in checking their HIV status.