SONA 2026: "About 350,000 Ghanaians are living with HIV, AIDS" - Prez. Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama revealed that approximately 350,000 Ghanaians are currently living with HIV and AIDS.

He made these remarks during his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament on Friday.

He noted that although Ghana’s national HIV prevalence rate is relatively low at 1.6%, certain regions and population groups experience significantly higher rates.

President Mahama emphasized that the government is taking decisive steps to strengthen the healthcare system’s response to the epidemic.

He hinted that the Ghana AIDS Commission has been tasked with ensuring nationwide availability of HIV testing services and antiretroviral treatments.

Mr. Mahama also revealed that his government is fully rolling out a free primary healthcare program, removing cost barriers at the primary care level, which is where early detection and prevention are most critical.

He further outlined measures to enhance the overall health system, including the expansion of advanced cardiac care, scaling up disease surveillance, and boosting local pharmaceutical and vaccine production.

The President stressed that no patient must be turned away from health facilities, underscoring the government’s commitment to universal access to quality healthcare.

“The government remains committed to building a stronger, more resilient, and self-reliant health system for all Ghanaians,” President Mahama said, adding that strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure, personnel, and preventive programs will continue to safeguard the nation’s wellbeing.

This disclosure forms part of a broader set of reforms under the Mahama Care initiative, which includes measures such as uncapping the National Health Insurance Levy, increasing provider tariffs, regularizing nursing trainee allowances, and recruiting thousands of health workers to underserved regions.

President Mahama’s address highlighted the government’s multi-pronged approach to tackling both communicable and non-communicable diseases while improving healthcare access, infrastructure, and workforce capacity nationwide.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith