As the world prepares to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14, 2025, the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) has launched an awareness campaign urging Ghanaians to prioritize their health and well-being.
With the theme “Spread Love, Not the Virus,” GHANET seeks to educate the public—especially the youth—on the importance of responsible sexual behavior and HIV prevention.
In a statement issued by GHANET President, Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin, the organization cautioned against engaging in risky sexual behaviors that could lead to new HIV infections.
According to the network, statistics from December 2023 reveal that **334,000** people in Ghana were living with HIV.
Additionally, between January and September 2024, an alarming 35,460 new cases were recorded. Though the national HIV prevalence rate stands at 1.53%, the rising rate of new infections remains a cause for concern.
GHANET’s Call to Action:
To curb the spread of HIV, GHANET has advised the youth and the general public to adhere to the following preventive measures:
1. Avoid Risky Sexual Behaviors – including unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, sex parties, hookups, and substance abuse, which increases vulnerability to HIV.
2. Practice Safe Sex– by consistently and correctly using condoms, which are readily available at pharmacies, health facilities, and community-based outlets.
3. Abstain from Sex– if the conditions are not right, as abstinence remains the safest method of preventing HIV.
Furthermore, GHANET is encouraging Ghanaians to know their HIV status by getting tested. For those with privacy concerns, **HIV Self-Testing (HIVST) kits are available as a discreet option.
Public Awareness and Access to Information
GHANET has provided multiple channels for the public to seek further information. Individuals interested in learning more about HIV prevention and testing can visit www.ghanet.net or contact 0332092649, 0260221462, or 0505113302 for inquiries.
“As we celebrate love this Valentine’s season, let us do so responsibly. Love is beautiful when it is safe and healthy. Let’s spread love, not the virus,” the statement concluded.
This campaign aligns with GHANET’s nearly three-decade commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS in Ghana. The organization remains steadfast in its mission to reduce new infections, eliminate stigma, and promote responsible sexual health practices nationwide.
Below is the full press release:
Valentine’s Day HIV and AIDS Awareness Campaign: Spread Love: Not the Virus
As we celebrate this year’s Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14, 2025, Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) urges all Ghanaians to prioritize their health and well-being.
In this season of romantic celebration, we wish to remind the youth, especially, NOT to allow the sweetness of love becloud their sense of sobriety and propriety. While acknowledging that love and intimacy are essential aspects of human connection, we believe they must be expressed with utmost responsibility and self-awareness.
As a network, with about three decades of experience in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Ghana, we find it concerning that, as at December 2023, the total estimated number of persons living with HIV in the country stood at 334,000. Even more worrying is the fact that, between January and September 2024, about 35,460 persons got newly diagnosed of HIV.
Even though the national HIV prevalence of 1.53% may seem low, the rate of new infections, especially in recent times, is quite alarming. It is on this basis that we wish to advise the youth, on this occasion, to:
1.Avoid Risky Sexual Behaviors – such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, sex parties, hookups and substance abuse (which significantly increases vulnerability to HIV infection).
2.Practice Safe Sex – through consistent and correct use of condoms (which are available at pharmacies, health facilities, and other community-based outlets).
3.Abstain from Sex – if conditions are not right (since abstinence is the safest HIV prevention method).
We also wish to use this opportunity to remind the public to test and know their HIV status. For those who may be worried about privacy issues, they can opt for HIV Self Testing (HIVST) kits.
For more information, please visit www.ghanet.net or contact: 0332092649/0260221462/0505113302.
It’s a season of love, let’s spread love; not the virus!
Issued by:
Ghana HIV and AIDS Network
SGD: Ernest Amoabeng Ortsin (President)