African Union (AU) Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah, has raised concerns that nearly two-thirds of the world's people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa, despite significant progress in expanding access to life-saving treatment across the continent.

Speaking at the ongoing AU Extraordinary Health Summit in Accra on Tuesday, July 21, she said millions of Africans living with HIV are now receiving life-saving antiretroviral treatment, describing it as a major achievement in the continent's public health response.

However, she stressed that the high concentration of HIV cases in sub-Saharan Africa underscores the need for sustained commitment and investment to tackle the epidemic and strengthen healthcare systems.

"The unfinished agenda remains immense; nearly two-thirds of all people living with HIV are in Sub-Saharan Africa," she noted.

"Our continent has achieved hard-won progress. Millions of people living with HIV now have access to life-saving treatment," she disclosed.

"African institutions have demonstrated their capacity to lead coordinated responses to public health emergencies. These gains deserve recognition, but they cannot become an excuse for complacency," she added.

Amb. Twum-Amoah urged African leaders and development partners to intensify collaboration in addressing the continent's health challenges, saying greater political will and collective action were essential to preventing future health crises and improving health outcomes across Africa.

Ghana's case

Meanwhile, a recent report by the Ghana AIDS Commission disclosed that there is a decline in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, with the latest national estimates showing progress in the country’s response to the epidemic.

READ ALSO: Ghana records decline in new HIV infections and AIDS deaths in 2025 – AIDS Commission report

The 2025 National HIV Estimates and Projections report by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) indicates that new HIV infections reduced from 16,189 in 2024 to 13,951 in 2025.

AIDS-related deaths also declined from 13,429 to 12,051 within the same period, representing nearly a 14% reduction.

Presenting the report in Accra on Monday, July 20, the Director for Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana AIDS Commission, Isaiah Doe Kwao, attributed the improvement to sustained investments in HIV testing, treatment and care services.