By: Rachel Kakraba
The Programme Manager of National AIDS Control Programme, NACP, Dr. Emmanuel Teviu says the ongoing 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025) has brought to the fore the urgent need for integrated health services as a key strategy for tackling HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis on the continent. He said it has also highlighted prevention as a strategy in HIV response efforts.
“From the discussions it is clear going forward that we need to integrate. We are also looking at issues of triple elimination, where we want to eliminate HIV, hepatitis and syphilis”
“We want our children to be born free of these conditions and we need to move towards that direction” Dr. Teviu added.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with GBCGHANAONLINE, at the ongoing ICASA 2025, which Ghana is hosting, he said there are new tools available, highlighting Ghana’s readiness to adopt long acting PrEP alongside existing strategies.
“In the past we’ve had the condom, we had the oral PrEP and now we are going into the long acting PrEP, lenacapavir and so these are all very significant things that as a country and as a programme, we have to adopt and we are poised to do that”
Dr. Teviu, said the conference which opened on Wednesday December 3 and is expected to end on Monday, December, 8, 2025, has created a platform for cross-learning from various countries.
“It’s been characterized by scientific sessions, presentations, and new things that are coming up in HIV response and I think it’s been a very wonderful time. When you attend the sessions, you would see people are so engaged, they want to know what is happening, they’re asking questions”
He was hopeful key outcomes will be adopted and implemented in the National HIV strategy.
“I’m sure that from 2026 onwards, we’ll start, implementing or adopting some of these things”
Dr. Teviu, reminded everyone particularly the youth to get involved in the HIV response efforts.
“Everybody must get involved, and particularly our youth, 15 years to 24, they are our focus now because they’re one of the key drivers of this infection and we need to focus on them and see how we can empower them to know about their sexuality and take their sexuality into their care, and then prevent themselves from getting HIV”
About Long-acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis PrEP
Long-acting Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) provides sustained protection against HIV without the need for daily medication. These innovative tools can be administered through various methods, including injections and implants and can last from a month to a year and aims to improve adherence and convenience for individuals at risk of HIV.
The World Health Organization in July this year, issued guidelines for the use of Lenacapavir twice a year as an additional Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention. It is a transformative step forward in protecting people at risk of HIV – particularly those who face challenges with daily adherence, stigma, or access to health care.
Its rollout in Ghana is expected to greatly enhance the quality of life for people living with HIV.
