Rising HIV cases among youth: Mahama calls for fresh, youth-led national dialogue

President John Dramani Mahama has called for a bold, youth-driven national response to rising HIV infection rates among young Ghanaians, describing the trend as deeply worrying and avoidable.

Speaking at the launch of Ghana’s 2025 Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on Tuesday, [July 8, 2025], President Mahama said the increasing HIV prevalence among the youth reflects serious shortfalls in communication, education, and support systems.

“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 national conversation led by young people themselves, backed by institutions and families. “We need a bold, youth-led national conversation on prevention, supported by our schools, our health workers, our parents, and the media,” he added.

Mr. Mahama stressed that while prevention must remain a priority, the long-term solution lies in giving young people the tools to make informed choices. “Prevention is essential, but empowerment is the key,” he said.

The issue was raised during the President’s broader reflection on Ghana’s progress toward achieving the SDGs, with just five years left to the 2030 global deadline.