HIV advocacy organisations have called on the Government and public institutions to ensure that Ghana’s security services recruitment process is conducted in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of applicants living with HIV, warning against communication that could fuel stigma and discrimination.
The appeal follows public discussions surrounding the recent security recruitment exercise, during which concerns were raised over comments attributed to the Minister for the Interior regarding applicants who tested HIV-positive during medical screening.
In a joint statement, the Network of Persons Living with HIV in Ghana (NAP+ Ghana), the Young Health Advocates Ghana (YHAG) and KP+ Ghana said while medical examinations remain an important component of recruitment into the security services, public communication on HIV-related issues must be scientifically accurate, respectful of confidentiality and grounded in human rights.
The organisations welcomed the Ghana AIDS Commission’s clarification that the reported 1,300 HIV-positive cases identified during the recruitment exercise reflected Ghana’s national HIV prevalence rate of approximately 1.49 per cent, stressing that the figures should not be interpreted in a manner that fuels fear or prejudice.
According to the statement, advances in HIV treatment now enable people living with the virus to enjoy long, healthy and productive lives. It added that individuals who achieve viral suppression through effective treatment cannot sexually transmit HIV, making blanket assumptions about their ability to work medically and scientifically unjustifiable.
The groups emphasised that HIV is not a crime and should never become a basis for exclusion from employment or public humiliation.
They cited Section 34 of the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act 938), which prohibits employers from refusing employment, dismissing or discriminating against individuals solely because of their actual or perceived HIV status. They also referenced Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law and protection against discrimination.
The statement urged employers, including government institutions, to base recruitment decisions on competence, qualifications and legitimate occupational requirements rather than misconceptions surrounding HIV.
The organisations warned that public disclosure of HIV-related statistics without adequate context could undermine years of national progress in HIV prevention and treatment by discouraging voluntary testing and reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
They therefore called on the Government to publicly assure Ghanaians that all recruitment exercises would comply with the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, the Constitution, labour laws and the country’s international human rights obligations.
They further urged authorities to ensure that no applicant is denied employment solely because of actual or perceived HIV status unless there is a clearly established occupational medical requirement supported by law and scientific evidence.
The advocacy groups also appealed to public institutions to strengthen confidentiality during medical screening processes while expanding investment in HIV prevention, testing, treatment and anti-stigma education.
They called on the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to closely monitor the recruitment process, investigate any complaints of discrimination and work with the Ghana AIDS Commission and other relevant agencies to enforce the anti-discrimination provisions under Act 938.
The statement further urged Ministers of State and other public officials to exercise caution when speaking publicly about HIV-related matters, stressing that their words have a significant impact on public attitudes and health-seeking behaviour.
“Words matter. A single public statement can either encourage people to know their HIV status or discourage thousands from accessing testing and treatment,” the organisations stated.
Expressing solidarity with applicants who may have been emotionally affected by the public debate, the Joint Network reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights of people living with HIV and called on all stakeholders to work together to eliminate stigma, protect human dignity and ensure equal opportunities for all citizens.
The organisations said Ghana’s progress in the national HIV response should not be undermined by fear, misinformation or insensitive public communication, adding that employment opportunities should be determined by competence, integrity and ability—not by HIV status.
