The Deputy Minister for Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, on behalf of the Minister, has called on employers and institutions to promote healthier, stigma-free work environments.
She stated this on Wednesday during the launch of the National Workplace HIV and Wellness Policy in Accra. She added that workplaces are to ensure accurate health information, protect confidentiality, encourage voluntary testing, and support treatment for persons living with HIV.
According to the Deputy Minister, the policy forms part of the government’s broader agenda to improve population health, reduce preventable diseases, protect the workforce, and advance Universal Health Coverage.
She noted that HIV remains a major public health and development challenge, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, with significant impacts on households, productivity, and national development. Emphasising that the workplace is a key platform for prevention, education, counselling, testing, stigma reduction, and treatment support.
She added that the policy adopts a comprehensive approach to workplace wellness, integrating HIV interventions with broader health measures such as routine screening, mental health awareness, nutrition, and physical activity. Noting that the policy aligns with the Ministry’s focus on prevention and early intervention, as well as the Government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative.
The Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr Kharmecelle Prosper Akanbong, stated that about 334,723 people were living with HIV in Ghana as of the end of 2024, with treatment coverage currently at 68 per cent against a 95 per cent target. He noted that this leaves a significant gap in access to care and support.
He stressed that the workplace remains a critical entry point for HIV response efforts, given the amount of time people spend there, and called for effective implementation of the policy across both public and private sectors to ensure early identification, support, and linkage to care in line with the principle of leaving no one behind.
Grace Acheampong, ISD
