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Ghana’s efforts to combat HIV and AIDS are at risk following recent funding cuts from the United States Government, particularly through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). These cuts have led to the suspension of several human rights programmes that have long supported the country’s most marginalised communities. While some essential services have since resumed, the future of Ghana’s HIV response hangs in the balance, especially in areas related to stigma, discrimination and community engagement.
In an interview with UNAIDS Ghana Country Director Hector Sucilla Perez, he outlines the current state of the epidemic, the consequences of funding disruptions and what lies ahead for the country.
A snapshot of the epidemic
Ghana is home to an estimated 330,000 people living with HIV. Two-thirds of them are women aged 15 and over. In 2023 alone, the country recorded 18,000 new HIV infections and 12,000 AIDS-related deaths. Although these figures represent a decline since 2010, the progress remains too slow. New infections have dropped by just 19 percent and AIDS-related deaths by 35 percent over the last decade.
The populations most affected include transgender women, men who have sex with men, female sex workers and women. Despite national and international efforts, persistent stigma and structural inequality continue to hamper progress.
Dependency on donor funding
Ghana’s HIV response is heavily reliant on international donors. In 2022, the country spent approximately US$ 126 million on HIV and AIDS-related activities. Of this, the Global Fund contributed 29 percent, PEPFAR 8.5 percent and United Nations agencies 4.5 percent. Since 2007, PEPFAR has invested over US$ 204 million in Ghana, focusing on prevention, testing, treatment support, monitoring and human rights-based programming.
PEPFAR’s work has been concentrated in three regions: Western, Western North and Ahafo. It has supported critical services including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV testing and treatment, monitoring and evaluation, as well as supply chain technical assistance. Perhaps most significantly, it has been a champion of programmes aimed at eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
The impact of funding cuts
The recent pause in PEPFAR funding disrupted services across more than 120 healthcare sites and affected 10 civil society organisations. While a waiver has reinstated many technical and treatment-related activities, programmes focused on human rights and community-led monitoring have been suspended indefinitely.
According to Mr Sucilla Perez, this gap is a serious setback.
“Without these critical human rights programmes, we risk seeing increased stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and key populations. This could reverse progress made in encouraging people to get tested and access treatment,” he said.
A national response rooted in rights
In response, the Ghana AIDS Commission has revived the Human Rights Stream Committee with support from UNAIDS and the Global Fund. The Committee is exploring ways to integrate HIV-related human rights work into other public institutions, such as the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and is fostering partnerships with the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection and the Ministry of Labour.
UNAIDS is providing technical support to CHRAJ to develop a professional handbook addressing HIV-related stigma through a health and human rights lens. This will support long-term institutional knowledge and training.
The UNAIDS country office is also strengthening community leadership by supporting networks of people living with HIV and key populations to lead harmonised community-led monitoring initiatives. These efforts are aligned with the priorities of the Global Fund and seek to bridge existing data gaps, especially around treatment adherence and stigma.
Ghana for Rights: A new initiative for a new era
To respond more comprehensively to the emerging gaps, UNAIDS is developing the “Ghana for Rights Initiative.” The initiative aims to build a nationwide movement that promotes and protects human rights, especially for those most affected by inequality, stigma and discrimination.
“This is not just about HIV. It is about gender equality, access to education and healthcare, and ensuring that everyone in Ghana can live with dignity and without fear,” said Mr Sucilla Perez.
The initiative will focus on advocacy, capacity building and community engagement. It is also designed to reframe how human rights are discussed and funded in the context of health, in partnership with bilateral donors, civil society and United Nations agencies.
The cost of inaction
The loss of rights-based programming risks undermining Ghana’s progress toward the global UNAIDS 95–95–95 targets: that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 95 percent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Community-led monitoring, once a vital tool for capturing real-time data from the ground, has come to a halt. This limits the ability of programme implementers to respond to emerging challenges and undermines the principle of community ownership.
A call to the international community
Mr Sucilla Perez delivered a clear message to global partners:
“Now is not the time to step back from supporting the HIV response. The progress we have made has only been possible because of strong international solidarity.”
He urged donors to recommit, especially in supporting human rights and stigma reduction programmes. Without sustained investment, Ghana could see a reversal of hard-won gains and risk leaving behind those who are most vulnerable.
“We invite all partners to join us in the Ghana for Rights Initiative and help build a future where everyone regardless of gender, status or identity can live free from stigma, discrimination and the burden of HIV,” he said.
