Sunyani: Records from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Bono Region indicate that the region recorded a total of 1,853 new HIV infections in 2025, highlighting a worrying surge in the spread of the virus within the region. The troubling statistic translates into an average of 38 new HIV infections each week, heightening concerns among health authorities about the continued spread of the virus despite ongoing prevention and public awareness efforts.
According to Ghana Web, the concerning figures position the Bono Region as recording the highest number of HIV infections in Ghana within the year under review, with a prevalence rate of 2.2 percent. These figures were revealed during the 2025 annual performance review meeting held in Sunyani. The Bono Regional Health Director, Dr. Osei Kuffour Afreh, emphasized the importance of strengthening community-based advocacy and health promotion messaging to curb the spread of the virus.
Dr. Afreh highlighted the need for promoting safer lifestyle choices among the populace, particularly during social gatherings and celebrations. He pointed out that only 12 out of the 30 medical officers posted to the region reported for duty, leading to severe understaffing in critical units. This human resource deficit is significantly affecting healthcare delivery, with increased workloads, longer waiting times for patients, and reduced efficiency across health facilities.
The region faces acute deficits in pharmaceutical staff, laboratory scientists, supply chain practitioners, health information officers, community health nurses, and health service administrators. Dr. Afreh noted that the prolonged absence of fresh recruitment, coupled with the migration of existing staff to more attractive opportunities domestically and abroad, is having a measurable and detrimental effect on service delivery across the region.