Clinical Professor at the University of Alberta Prof Victor Wutor has called on the Government of Ghana to make significant investments in pre-exposure HIV prevention medication as part of efforts to curb the spread of the virus.

His appeal follows the release of the 2025 National HIV Estimates and Projections by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) which recorded 13,951 new HIV infections in the country during the year.

Although the latest figures represent a decline from the 16,189 new infections recorded in 2024, the report indicates that HIV remains a major public health concern. 

AIDS-related deaths also dropped from 13,429 in 2024 to 12,051 in 2025, representing nearly a 14 percent reduction.

The report further estimates that 337,435 people are currently living with HIV in Ghana. 

Of this number, 315,513 are adults aged 15 years and above while 21,922 are children under the age of 15.

According to the Ghana AIDS Commission, the declining infection and mortality rates demonstrate that the country's HIV response is making progress. 

However, it stressed that intensified efforts are needed if Ghana is to achieve the global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Speaking on the Class morning show with Charles Akrofi, Prof. Wutor, who is also a pharmacist, advocated greater investment in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), particularly long-acting injectable medication that can prevent HIV infection.

"That is something I believe we should also look at carefully, where you have two injections in a year to prevent you from getting HIV. It's not readily available through the government, although some private institutions do offer it," he said.

He explained that the treatment currently costs more than 2,000 US dollars per patient annually, making it inaccessible to many people. 

However, some countries, he noted, have negotiated with manufacturers to reduce the price to between 20 and 30 US dollars per patient each year.

"I'd rather invest in that massively and make sure that people who are at higher risk but are HIV-negative receive these injections. With just two injections a year, they are protected from contracting HIV," Prof. Wutor added.

Beyond preventive medication, the clinical professor also called for a more targeted public education campaign focused on vulnerable populations, particularly young people.

He argued that HIV awareness campaigns should be tailored to specific age groups and delivered through the platforms they use most.

"We should have more targeted advertisements and educational programmes for vulnerable groups. For instance, young women between the ages of 15 and 24 respond differently to messaging than a 70-year-old person. We cannot adopt a one-size-fits-all approach."

"If they are on TikTok, take the campaign to TikTok. If they are on Facebook, take it to Facebook. We need specifically designed messages that speak directly to the people we want to reach," he said.