The First Lady Advocates for United Front Against HIV Stigma

The First Lady of Ghana, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has called for a united front to combat HIV stigma, promote human rights, and ensure fair access to HIV prevention services for all.

During her speech at the 2024 National HIV Prevention Summit in Accra, Mrs. Akufo-Addo emphasized the need to address critical issues such as discrimination, stigma, lack of access to healthcare, and socioeconomic disparity. She highlighted that these barriers exacerbate the spread of HIV and perpetuate inequality and injustice.

“These barriers do not only worsen the spread of HIV but also perpetuate inequality and injustice. It is imperative that we address these barriers head-on with courage and determination if we are to succeed in our mission,” she stated.

The summit, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, Uniting for Effective HIV Response,” underscored the importance of a coordinated societal effort to eradicate HIV stigma and discrimination. Mrs. Akufo-Addo stressed the necessity of equipping communities with the knowledge, resources, and support needed to protect their health and well-being and to prevent HIV transmission.

She highlighted the urgency of implementing comprehensive HIV prevention measures and ensuring their accessibility to all who need them. Innovations in HIV prevention, such as long-acting injectables, the vaginal ring, and enhanced mother-to-child transmission prevention protocols, were noted as crucial advancements.

Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), echoed these sentiments, stating that the fight against HIV is at a critical juncture. He emphasized the availability of scientific tools and proven strategies to combat HIV despite global economic challenges. However, he pointed out that insufficient financing, noncompliance with preventive measures, and persistent stigma and discrimination hinder Ghana's efforts to provide essential HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services.

Dr. Atuahene highlighted the high rates of new HIV infections in Ghana, driven by pervasive high-risk sexual behaviors among men and women across all regions. He called for prioritizing the HIV prevention roadmap to establish a comprehensive national approach for scalable preventative interventions, aiming to meet the 2025 Global AIDS Targets.

The summit aims to create a platform for stakeholders to develop a national agenda for HIV prevention, building on the milestones set during the 2025 HIV Prevention Road Map Review and Milestone Setting Workshop. Dr. Atuahene emphasized the importance of exploring innovative technologies and fostering collaborations to strengthen HIV prevention strategies while solidifying accountability mechanisms.

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