The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has called on institutions to adopt Workplace HIV and Wellness Policies. This initiative aims to protect workers' dignity, enhance productivity, and foster a resilient workforce across Ghana.
John Eliasu Mahama, Acting Director of Policy and Planning at the GAC, highlighted the ongoing threat of HIV to the workforce. He stressed that prioritizing employee welfare directly links to business productivity and sustainability. The revised National Workplace HIV and Wellness Policy, launched in April 2026, integrates HIV interventions with general wellness measures like routine health screening and mental health awareness. This policy was developed by the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment and the GAC, with support from the International Labour Organisation.
This push for policy adoption comes as Ghana continues its fight against HIV, a disease that significantly impacts the economically active population. The 2025 National HIV Estimates and Projections Report shows positive trends, with new infections declining from 16,189 in 2024 to 13,951 in 2025. AIDS-related deaths also fell by nearly 14 percent, from 13,429 to 12,051, over the same period. Despite these gains, 337,435 people were estimated to be living with HIV in Ghana, including 315,513 adults and 21,922 children under 15 years.
Mr. Mahama stated that denying employment or equal opportunities based on HIV status violates fundamental human rights. He noted that the revised policy emphasizes gender equity, social inclusion, and guarantees voluntary, confidential HIV testing. It also promotes wellness across six dimensions: physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, social, and environmental well-being. The Ghana AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act 938), provides a legal framework to protect workers living with HIV, yet concerns about non-compliance and subtle discrimination persist.
Successful implementation of this policy requires active participation from employers, employees, organised labour, and government agencies. The National Tripartite Committee, under the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, will oversee its implementation. Mr. Mahama urged all stakeholders to ensure the policy's rollout does not lead to discrimination or stigmatisation. He warned that uncontrolled HIV transmission among the 25-49 age group, which bears the greatest burden, could undermine productivity and slow economic growth. Creating stigma-free and health-secure workplaces is vital for achieving the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Many organisations still do not fully recognise HIV, TB, and wellness issues as potential threats to business operations, leading to a lack of workplace programmes.