Ghana AIDS Commission Clarifies HIV Test Results From Security Recruitment Exercise

The Ghana AIDS Commission has clarified that the approximately 1,300 applicants who recorded reactive HIV test results during the recent security services recruitment exercise have not been confirmed as living with HIV.

The clarification follows public comments by the Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, who disclosed that about 1,300 out of nearly 100,000 applicants tested positive for HIV during the nationwide recruitment exercise.

In a statement, the Commission said the reported figure represents about 1.3% of those screened, which is broadly consistent with Ghana's estimated national HIV prevalence of 1.49% among adults at the end of 2024. It said the figures should not be interpreted as unusual or as evidence of an emerging public health concern.

The Commission explained that under Ghana's national HIV testing guidelines, a single reactive HIV screening result does not amount to a confirmed HIV diagnosis.

It said an initial reactive result is only preliminary and must be followed by the nationally approved three-test serial testing algorithm before an individual's HIV status can be confirmed.

It therefore urged the public and institutions to distinguish between a reactive screening result and a confirmed HIV-positive diagnosis when discussing HIV testing.

The Commission also stressed that HIV testing during recruitment exercises should be conducted in line with national guidelines, including informed consent, confidentiality and appropriate counselling.

It said individuals with reactive screening results should receive professional counselling, complete the confirmatory testing process and, where necessary, be linked to treatment and care services.

The statement further reminded employers that the Ghana AIDS Commission Act, 2016 (Act 938), prohibits discrimination against people living with HIV in employment and other areas of public life.

It said HIV status alone should not be used as a basis for denying employment or limiting opportunities, adding that medical fitness for specific occupations should be assessed according to established medical and occupational standards rather than stigma or misconceptions.

The Commission warned that inaccurate public communication on HIV could reinforce stigma and discourage people from voluntarily testing and seeking treatment. It said Ghana's progress in HIV prevention, treatment and care depends on creating an environment where people can know their status without fear of discrimination.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to working with government institutions to ensure that HIV testing, counselling and public communication are guided by scientific evidence, national policy and respect for human rights as Ghana works towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.