The Ghanaian government is exploring the local and regional production of HIV medicines and essential health commodities to strengthen supply security and sustain the national HIV response. This initiative aims to reduce the country's reliance on international supply chains and vulnerability to fluctuations in external health financing. By doing so, Ghana seeks to strengthen its national capacity to sustain HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care services.
Dr. Alhaji Abubakar Wayo, Chief Director at the Office of the President, announced this at the 15th National HIV and AIDS Partnership Forum in Accra. The forum, themed "40 Years of HIV Response in Ghana, Celebrating Partnerships, Transforming Lives, Sustaining the Future," brought together stakeholders to assess progress in the national HIV response and explore ways to mobilize resources to sustain the gains. Dr. Wayo emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic and pressures on global health financing had exposed the risks of depending heavily on international supply chains for essential health commodities.
The government is considering evidence-based proposals for domestic and regional production of HIV medicines, diagnostics, and other essential products. Dr. Wayo stressed that local production should complement, rather than disrupt, access to quality-assured commodities already available through established procurement arrangements. He appealed to government agencies, research institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers, regulators, and development partners to identify viable manufacturing opportunities that align with national health priorities.
Ghana's progress in the HIV response over the past four decades has relied on partnerships among government institutions, international development partners, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, and communities affected by HIV. Dr. Wayo emphasized that sustaining the response required stronger domestic financing and national capacity to maintain essential services. He advocated for innovative financing mechanisms, responsible private-sector contributions, and increased budgetary allocations for HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care.
Dr. Wayo highlighted that improved access to HIV medicines must be matched by stronger prevention efforts. National estimates indicate that Ghana recorded 13,951 new HIV infections and 12,051 AIDS-related deaths in 2025, while an estimated 337,435 people were living with HIV. These figures underscore the need to maintain a reliable supply of medicines while expanding targeted prevention programs to reduce new infections. Dr. Wayo advocated for wider access to voluntary HIV testing, self-testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and accurate health information, particularly for young people.
Dr. Wayo also stressed the need for stronger measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Pregnant women living with HIV must receive timely treatment and support, while people who tested positive must be linked promptly to appropriate care and supported to remain on treatment. He asked ministries, departments, and agencies to assess how their policies, programs, and budgets could support the national HIV response and called on traditional authorities, religious leaders, and civil society organizations to support public education, HIV prevention, and access to services.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders to strengthen national ownership of the response, improve access to essential services, and help end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Dr. Wayo emphasized the importance of regularly monitoring progress in prevention, testing, treatment continuity, and viral suppression, as well as efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission and reduce stigma and discrimination. The private sector is also encouraged to introduce workplace HIV awareness and wellness programs, facilitate access to appropriate services, and adopt policies that protect confidentiality and prevent discrimination.
Key points
- The Ghanaian government is exploring local production of HIV medicines to reduce reliance on international supply chains.
- The initiative aims to strengthen national capacity to sustain HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care services.
- Ghana recorded 13,951 new HIV infections and 12,051 AIDS-related deaths in 2025.
