In the flat, sprawling lands of the three Tongu districts—North, Central, and South Tongu—a silent crisis is tightening its grip. The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), once thought to be on the decline, is resurging with alarming speed.
The rise in new infections is threatening not only public health but also the social and economic progress of these vibrant communities.
Alarming Statistics
Figures from the Ghana Health Service reveal a disturbing reality: in 2024 alone, 143 new HIV infections were recorded in the enclave, pushing the cumulative number of people living with the virus to 3,560.
North Tongu leads with 1,612 cases, followed by South Tongu with 1,192 and Central Tongu with 756. Even more troubling, more than 1,300 individuals are not on antiretroviral therapy—largely due to stigma and fear of disclosure—leaving both their health and the wider community at risk.
Stigma at the Heart of the Crisis
The Ghana News Agency’s (GNA) interactions with health workers and advocacy groups point to stigma as the strongest barrier in the fight. In many Tongu communities, the mere act of getting tested can trigger gossip, discrimination, and isolation.
This has created a dangerous cycle: people avoid testing or treatment, diagnosis is delayed, and transmission quietly spreads.
Mr. Stanley Agbozo, Chairman of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Central Tongu, noted that silence and secrecy around sex education in homes and schools deepen the challenge.
“Some parents even encourage their daughters, between 16 and 25 years, to engage in transactional sex just to bring money home, without thinking about their wellbeing or HIV risk,” he told the GNA.
Young People at Risk
The youth are among the most vulnerable. Early sexual initiation, limited knowledge of safe practices, and economic hardships push many into risky behaviors. Transactional sex, peer pressure, and exploitation are frequent realities. Without comprehensive sexual health education, young people are left to navigate these dangers alone.
The Human Face of HIV
Behind the numbers are real lives and stories of resilience.
Emefa (not her real name), a 24-year-old seamstress from South Tongu, tested positive in 2019. She recalls the pain of rejection:
“When I first tested positive, I was shattered. But what broke me more was how people treated me—as if I was no longer human. Even my sister stopped eating with me.”
Still, free antiretroviral drugs keep her healthy. “We are not dangerous. We just want to live. What we need now is love, not whispers and avoidance.”
Kwame, a farmer from Central Tongu, also shared his story. He contracted the virus from a long-term partner who later died. While he faces stigma in his community, he praises the staff at Adidome Government Hospital.
“The nurses treat me with respect. The monthly drugs give me strength. But beyond medicine, we need opportunities—jobs, support groups, small businesses—so people see us as contributors, not outcasts.”
Cracks in Health Services
Beyond stigma, systemic gaps are evident. Remote and riverine communities lack easy access to HIV services. While Ghana’s framework promises testing, counselling, and treatment, in Tongu the reality is often different. Many families bear heavy psychological and financial burdens, sometimes leading children orphaned by HIV into poverty, abuse, or school dropouts.
The economic impact is equally stark. With young adults—who form the backbone of farming and trade—falling ill or becoming caregivers, productivity is declining.
A Community-Based Way Forward
The Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) is calling for bold, grassroots interventions.
Mr. Gustav Boni, the Volta Regional PRO of GHANET, told the GNA that traditional durbars could be powerful platforms to combat myths, stigma, and misinformation.
“When chiefs, opinion leaders, health workers, and even people living with HIV speak in open forums, using local languages, it breaks down barriers,” he said.
GHANET also recommends mass condom distribution, wider use of self-testing kits in schools, markets, churches, and mosques, and stronger collaboration with local radio stations to share survivor stories and health education.
The Bigger Picture
The Tongu story is a microcosm of Ghana’s broader struggle. In 2024, the Volta Region alone recorded 809 new HIV infections. Without urgent intervention, these numbers threaten to erode hard-earned development gains.
Conclusion
The rising HIV cases in Tongu are more than a health emergency—they are a social, cultural, and economic wake-up call. Breaking the cycle requires compassion, bold leadership, and sustained investment.
For the people of Tongu, the challenge is daunting but not insurmountable. With community-driven education, accessible healthcare, and inclusive policies, the tide can be turned.
The question is not whether Tongu can overcome this crisis, but whether action will come swiftly enough.
The clock is ticking, and the time to act is now.
GNA
