In a bid to combat the troubling surge in HIV infections among Ghanaian youth, the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has partnered with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in a new strategic alliance aimed at turning young people into change agents in the national fight against HIV/AIDS.
The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Accra, seeks to leverage the YEA’s extensive youth networks to scale up education, advocacy, and behavioural change campaigns targeting adolescents and young adults.
According to Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, Acting Executive Director of the Ghana AIDS Commission, the collaboration represents a pivotal step in reversing the alarming trend of new infections among the youth. She revealed that of the 15,536 new HIV cases recorded in 2024, a significant majority were within the youth demographic.
“Although overall infections declined compared to 2023, the rate among young people is still rising. This calls for targeted interventions. We need to engage and empower the youth to be at the forefront of HIV prevention,” Dr. Akanbong said.
Under the initiative, selected youth under the YEA programme will be trained as peer educators and community ambassadors to spread awareness on prevention, testing, and stigma reduction. The GAC believes that empowering young people to speak to their peers in relatable terms is a powerful tool for reshaping attitudes and behaviours.
Mr. Malik Basintale, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency, said the Agency is fully committed to supporting the AIDS Commission’s goals, not just through employment but also by creating a generation of informed, responsible, and socially conscious young Ghanaians.
“Our mission is twofold: to help young people find employment and to equip them with the knowledge and platform to contribute meaningfully to national development — including the fight against HIV,” he said.
He stressed the importance of responsible sexual behaviour and reminded young people that despite progress in treatment and awareness, HIV remains a reality that requires vigilance and informed choices.
“Young people must understand that HIV is still with us. This partnership is about equipping them with the right tools to protect themselves and others while dispelling myths and stigma,” Basintale added.
With youth making up a significant portion of Ghana’s population, stakeholders believe this partnership could be a turning point in bridging the gap between policy and community-level impact, ultimately helping the country meet its national HIV prevention targets.
