President John Dramani Mahama has issued a passionate appeal for urgent, youth-led action to confront the alarming rise in HIV infections among Ghanaian youth, describing the trend as “deeply worrying” and completely preventable.
Speaking at the official launch of Ghana’s 2025 Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, the President did not mince words in calling out the country’s shortcomings in tackling the crisis.
“We are also alarmed by the rising HIV rates, especially amongst our young people,” Mr Mahama said. “This points to a failure in communications, stigma, and limited access to sexual health education.”
He called for a generational shift in how the country addresses the epidemic, urging a campaign driven by young people, with full support from institutions, schools, families, and the media. “We need a bold, youth-led national conversation on prevention, supported by our schools, our health workers, our parents, and the media,” he added.
President Mahama stressed that simply raising awareness is not enough—young people must be empowered to make informed choices about their health and wellbeing. “Prevention is essential, but empowerment is the key,” he said.
His remarks came as part of a broader assessment of Ghana’s progress toward achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. With just five years left on the global clock, the President’s call to action underscores a renewed sense of urgency to confront one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges.
