News
Health Alert: HIV still prevalent-Over 23,000 infected in W/R
The Western Regional Office of the Ghana AIDS Commission, has advised the public to be on high alert on HIV/AIDS infections which continues to be a source of worry in the region.
“Currently, thereare 23,904 persons living with HIV in the region. Again, 1,101 people newly got infected with HIV in 2022 alone, a situation which is worrying to the Commission and partners,” the Regional Technical Coordinator of the Ghana AIDS Commission for the Western Region, MrDramaniYakubu, has revealed.
He disclosed that “The current HIV Prevalence in the region was 1.63 percent. This means that, out of every 100 people in the Western Region, about two of them were living with HIV. This data clearly tells us that HIV is still here with us and we should not take risks such as unprotected sexual relationships with multiple partners.”
MrYakubu disclosed these to The Spectator in an interview on the update of HIV and Aids campaigns involving stakeholders and also to mark the 2023 World AIDS Day (WAD), which falls on December 1, every year in Ghana and across the world.
Themed “Let Communities Lead”, this year’s event provides the opportunity for stakeholders to unite in response to the HIV & AIDS epidemic, to assess efforts in responding to the epidemic and to remember those who have unfortunately died from AIDS-related causes.
MrYakubu said it was importantfor the public to test to know their HIV status and that of their partner(s), and noted that, having sex at an early age exposes one to HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and early pregnancies.
He said practicing abstinence or being faithful to an uninfected partner were key behaviours to effectively prevent HIV infections.
He said “Having sex with multiple partners increases the risk of HIV and other STI infections. If your HIV test is positive, you ought to visit a health facility to start treatment immediately. Taking HIV medication consistently reduces the amount of virus in your body, promotes good health and prolongs life.”
The Technical Coordinator told The Spectator that Antiretroviral (ARVs) were free in all health facilities, noting that, HIV related stigma creates barriers to HIV testing, treatment, care and support.
“HIV is a virus and anyone can get infected. The theme is a call for action for communities to play a more active role in the HIV response,”MrYakubu said.
He said as part of Ghana’s efforts to integrate HIV and AIDS programming into everyday activities in communities, the regional office, under the guidance of the Regional Minister, MrKwabenaOkyereDarko-Mensah, marked the 2023 Farmers’ Day alongside the World AIDS Day on Friday, November 24, across all the district assemblies.
This was to pave way for the region to host the national event at Tarkwa, yesterday.
Ghana AIDS Commission, he said, has undertaken a number of activities in collaboration with partners, with logistics such as condoms, HIV test kits, fliers and leaflets distributed, especially to the HIV Focal Persons at the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
The Commission had also engaged in a month-long HIV sensitisation through local media partners to sensitise the population on HIV and AIDS and to discuss other topical issues and also together with partners, offered free health screening at the Farmers’ Day durbars on November 24.
From Clement Adzei Boye, Sekondi
A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Sammy Ayeh has picked up nomination forms to contest for the position of Deputy National Communications Officer position.
Announcing his intention, Dr. Ayeh said he is offering himself to help communicate the party’s vision clearly and connect its message with the aspirations of Ghanaians.
He expressed deep gratitude to the party’s National Communications Officer, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, describing him as an able leader on whose shoulders he has risen.
“His exceptional leadership, mentorship and confidence in me have shaped my journey and strengthened my resolve to serve,” Dr. Ayeh stated.
He said if elected, he will seek to build on that foundation by strengthening research-driven communication, empowering grassroots communicators, and enhancing strategic media engagement.
Dr. Ayeh humbly appealed to party members and supporters for their support.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Data Protection Commission has called on the Minority Caucus in Parliament, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JoyNews and other media houses to protect the personal information of 1,964 Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the Commission expressed concern over the public disclosure of the evacuees’ personal details, including their names, signatures and records of financial assistance received.
It warned that making such information public could expose the affected individuals to identity theft, fraud and other forms of harm, especially given the threats to their safety that some of them may have faced.
The Commission explained that the 1992 Constitution protects the dignity and privacy of every individual. It also cited the Data Protection Act, 2012 (Act 843), which sets out rules for the lawful collection, use and disclosure of personal information.
While acknowledging the importance of transparency, parliamentary oversight, the right to information and press freedom, the Commission stressed that these principles do not automatically justify the unrestricted publication of personal details.
It said the disclosure of the records by the Minority Caucus, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JoyNews and other media organisations must be assessed based on the law, the purpose of the disclosure and the privacy rights of the individuals involved.
The Commission further noted that although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Parliament are registered data controllers in good standing, their registration does not exempt them from their legal responsibilities under the Data Protection Act.
It has therefore urged all the parties involved to take appropriate steps to protect the affected individuals, including immediately restricting access to or removing personal details from publicly available records where their continued disclosure is not legally justified.
The Commission announced plans to conduct a regulatory review to determine whether the disclosures had a lawful basis, what safeguards were applied and whether the privacy rights of the evacuees had been adequately protected.
It said it would engage the relevant parties as part of the review and take appropriate regulatory action if any breach of the law is established.
The Commission reiterated that protecting personal information and respecting human dignity must remain central to efforts to promote public accountability.
By: Jacob Aggrey
