President John Dramani Mahama has called for a youth-led national conversation on HIV prevention as the country faces a concerning surge in new infections, particularly among young people.

"We need a bold youth-led national conversation on prevention supported by our schools, by our health workers, our parents, and the media."

The president made the remarks at the launch of the 2025 Voluntary National Review of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Accra on Tuesday, July 8.

He described the growing rate of HIV infections as a public health alarm, stressing that young people must be at the forefront of prevention efforts.

His call comes on the back of a report from the Ghana AIDS Commission, which revealed that 15,290 new HIV infections were recorded in 2024, with over 11,000 cases among individuals aged 15 and above.

"We are also alarmed by the rising HIV rates, especially among our young people," he said, and blamed the situation on "failure in communications, stigma, and limited access to sexual health education."

The President emphasised that "Prevention is essential, but empowerment is the key."