Men living with HIV are transmitting the virus to their female partners at more than three times the rate at which women living with the virus pass it on to men. The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) revealed this significant disparity, citing 2023 data.
The commission's figures indicate a male-to-female transmission index of 9.73%. In contrast, the female-to-male transmission index stands at 2.96%. This results in a national transmission index of 5.31%, highlighting a substantial difference in how the virus spreads between genders.
This finding underscores a critical aspect of Ghana's public health challenge. It suggests that current intervention strategies may need re-evaluation to address the specific dynamics of HIV transmission. The GAC's data provides crucial insights for tailoring future public health campaigns and resource allocation.
Dr. Fred Nana Poku, Director of Technical Services at the GAC, disclosed these findings last Tuesday. He spoke at a capacity-building program for media persons, organized by the GAC with funding from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Dr. Poku explained that biological and physiological factors make women more susceptible to HIV infection during sexual intercourse.
He elaborated that the female anatomy, specifically the vagina, acts as a receptacle for sperm and associated viruses, offering no escape route. For males, infection typically requires conditions like urinary tract infections or other mucosal breaches. Dr. Poku also noted that women generally exhibit better health-seeking behavior than men, leading them to undergo HIV testing more frequently.
The GAC's data from the 2025 National HIV Estimates further illustrates the impact of these transmission patterns. New HIV infections recorded in 2025 totaled 13,951. Of these, 5,051 (36.2%) were in males, while 8,900 (63.8%) were in females. This means approximately 38 new HIV infections occurred daily in 2025 among both adults and children.
As of 2025, Ghana had 337,435 people living with HIV. Females constituted the majority, with 221,707 individuals (65.7%), compared to 115,728 males (34.3%). The year 2025 also saw 12,051 AIDS-related deaths, with females accounting for 6,115 deaths and males for 5,936 deaths.
The GAC has set ambitious targets to combat the epidemic. The commission aims to reduce new HIV infections to fewer than 2,200 by the end of 2030. It also plans to ensure key populations receive adequate services and achieve 80% comprehensive knowledge of HIV among the general population.
Future interventions will focus on condom programming, including deploying vending machines and creating demand for condoms. The GAC will also expand access to biomedical prevention tools such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Ensuring the availability of appropriate channels and digital platforms for information dissemination is also a priority.
Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, Director-General of the GAC, emphasized the media's crucial role. He stated that media stories and discussions have significantly increased awareness, promoted treatment adherence, and challenged stigma. The GAC views journalists as ambassadors for accurate information and advocates for evidence-based public health communication.
Dr. Ekua E. Houphouët, Country Programme Manager of the AHF, highlighted stigma as a major barrier to ending AIDS. She stressed that media reporting can either perpetuate stigma or foster understanding and dignity. Journalists have a unique opportunity to change the narrative, helping the public understand that HIV is a manageable chronic condition, allowing those affected to live long, healthy, and productive lives.