Free SHS has reduced teenage pregnancies, HIV infections by 50% — Ghana AIDS Commission

The introduction of the Free Senior High School policy in Ghana has led to a significant 50% reduction in both teenage pregnancies and new HIV infections, according to the Ghana AIDS Commission.

Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, Director General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, revealed that the latest statistics show Ghana recorded 16,574 new HIV infections in 2022, down from 16,938 the previous year.

Additionally, he noted, cases of teenage pregnancy have also declined substantially.

Dr. Atuahene directly credited the Free SHS policy, launched in 2017, for driving these positive outcomes.

“We know that when girls stay in school up to secondary school level, it helps to bring the number of pregnancies down. And that is a sign that we are seeing in relation to the introduction of the Free SHS, which has increased the number of enrollment of girls in secondary schools," he said.

The Director General explained that staying up to secondary school level provides important protection for students.

“We also know that when girls remain in schools up to secondary school level, that alone is protective, so far as HIV infection is concerned, that alone reduces infection among these girls by as much as 50%," Dr. Atuahene stated.