Renew HIV, STI and drug abuse campaigns – Gabriel Agambila urges authorities

Gabriel Agambila has called for an intensified public education campaign targeting young people following concerns over HIV prevalence in the Upper East Region and the emergence of cigarette-shaped candies on the Ghanaian market.

Mr. Agambila described the situation as “very serious” and urged relevant authorities and stakeholders to take proactive steps to educate young people about the potential health and social risks associated with such developments.

His comments come after data from the Ghana AIDS Commission showed that the Bolgatanga Municipality recorded the highest HIV prevalence in the Upper East Region in 2025, at 1.46%, slightly above the national adult prevalence of 1.40%. Kassena-Nankana and Bongo followed with prevalence rates of 1.08% and 1.07%, respectively.

The concerns have also emerged alongside the Food and Drugs Authority’s ongoing efforts to trace and retrieve unregistered cigarette-shaped candies from the Ghanaian market.

According to the Upper East Regional Head of the FDA, Abel Ndego, the products, popularly known as “cigarette lollipops,” have not been registered with the Authority. The FDA has raised concerns about their cigarette-like appearance and the potential influence such products could have on children, particularly through observation and imitation.

Reacting to the developments, Mr. Agambila said there was an urgent need for authorities to return to aggressive public education strategies, particularly those targeting the youth.

“This is very serious. They need to create awareness and start educating the youth as they did in the late 80s, with adverts on radio and TV, in the marketplaces and schools,” he said.

He stressed the importance of using platforms that young people regularly interact with to communicate health messages and raise awareness about HIV prevention, responsible behaviour and other emerging risks.

Mr. Agambila believes that sustained education through radio and television campaigns, schools, markets and other public spaces could help ensure that young people receive accurate information early enough to make informed decisions.

His call comes at a time when Ghana continues to face challenges in HIV testing and diagnosis. The 2025 estimates indicate that only about 70% of people living with HIV were aware of their status, leaving a significant gap in the country’s efforts to achieve the global 95-95-95 targets.

He therefore urged health authorities, schools, civil society organisations, media houses and other stakeholders to intensify preventive education rather than waiting for health and social problems to escalate before responding.

Mr. Agambila said a renewed and sustained public education campaign could play a crucial role in protecting young people and promoting healthier communities across the Upper East Region and Ghana as a whole.