The Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) has intensified calls for sustained public education and renewed government commitment to funding HIV interventions, as it marked the New Year holiday with an awareness creation by distributing free condoms and offering testing kits at Laboma Beach in Accra.

Speaking during the End -of- Year Safe Sex Campaign, the President of GHANET, Ernest Amoabeng Orten, emphasised the importance of continuous public education on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly during festive seasons when social activities increase and risk behaviours are more likely.

He noted that while Ghana has made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS—with national prevalence reducing from about 3 percent to 1.4 percent since the establishment of the Ghana AIDS Commission in 2002—the disease remains a serious public health concern.

According to 2024 data, the country recorded over 15,000 new HIV infections and more than 12,000 AIDS-related deaths.

The campaign, he explained, is aimed at reminding the public, especially young people, to take personal responsibility for their sexual health by practising safe sex and getting tested regularly.

“Awareness creation remains one of our strongest tools in preventing new infections.

When people are informed, they are empowered to make safer choices,” he stated.

However, the GHANET President expressed concern about the sustainability of Ghana’s HIV response, revealing that the National HIV and AIDS Fund—established in 2016 to support prevention, treatment, and care programmes—is currently empty.

He warned that without adequate domestic funding, Ghana’s goal of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 could be undermined.

“We cannot rely solely on donor support.

The National HIV and AIDS Fund was created to ensure local ownership and sustainability, but unfortunately, it has not been resourced.

We are appealing to the government to prioritise this fund,” he appealed.

He urged the government to demonstrate stronger political will by allocating resources to the fund, while also calling on stakeholders, including the private sector and civil society, to support HIV prevention efforts.

The End -of- Year Safe Sex Campaign formed part of GHANET’s broader strategy to sustain public dialogue on HIV/AIDS, reduce stigma, and encourage collective action to protect lives, particularly among the youth.