The Ghana AIDS Commission has reacted to recent revelation by the Minister of Interior that 1,300 of recent recruits tested positive for HIV.
The Commission said this should not be considered an emerging public health concern.
“First, the reported figure of approximately 1,300 reactive HIV test results out of about 100,000 applicants represents approximately 1.3 percent of those screened,” the Commission stated in a press release on Wednesday, July 8.
“This is broadly consistent with Ghana’s estimated national HIV prevalence of 1.49 percent among adults at the end of 2024.”
The Commission expressed concerns about how the issue has been reported, insisting that a single reactive does not constitute the status of a patient.
“An initial reactive result is preliminary and must be followed by the nationally approved three-test serial testing algorithm before an individual’s HIV status can be confirmed,” it clarified.
“It is therefore important that public communication accurately distinguishes between an initial reactive screening result and a confirmed HIV-positive diagnosis.”
The Commission also warned that it is against the Constitution to use HIV status alone to deny citizens employment.
“HIV status alone should not constitute grounds for denying employment or otherwise limiting an individual’s opportunities.
“Medical fitness for specific occupations should be determined in accordance with established medical and occupational standards and not on the basis of stigma or misconceptions about HIV.”
It cautioned against certain public pronouncements that have the tendency to erode the gains made by the country in the fight against stigma.
“The Commission recognises that public communication on HIV, if not carefully framed, may unintentionally reinforce stigma and discourage individuals from accessing HIV testing and treatment services.
“Ghana has made significant progress in expanding access to HIV prevention, treatment and care, and sustaining these gains requires creating an environment in which people feel confident to know their status without fear of discrimination.”