Introduction
Traditionally, national security has focused on military and political concerns, where the government relies on several measures, including diplomacy, to safeguard the security of a nation-state. However, with the turn of the millennium, things that traditionally fell outside the scope of military and political situations, such as public health challenges, have redefined our idea of national security. For instance, ever since its identification over three decades ago, HIV/AIDS has infected at least 60 million people and caused more than 25 million deaths (Merson et al., 2008; Geene, 2007). Developing countries have experienced the greatest HIV/AIDS morbidity and mortality, with the highest prevalence rates recorded among young adults in sub-Saharan Africa (Sharp & Hahn, 2011). The threat posed by HIV/AIDS to Sub-Sahara Africa’s youth, for example, makes it a potent threat to regional security which necessitates action.
The turn of the millennium saw a war waged against the pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the 6th goal of the Millennium Development Goals seeking to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases.
In Ghana, the National AIDS Commission was established in 2002 to provide effective and efficient policy formulation, coordination, and management of the national response to HIV and AIDS in partnership with all stakeholders. The Commission’s efforts reflect a broad-based approach to addressing the epidemic, which includes educational initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and prevention. One major undertaking was the inclusion of an HIV/AIDS course in universities. The course is ungraded but compulsory, ensuring that students are better informed about the disease, its precautionary measures, and its after-effects. This initiative helped integrate HIV/AIDS awareness into academic curricula, creating awareness among the youth, who are the leaders of tomorrow.
Ghana’s mainstream traditional media also contributed significantly to creating awareness. TV programmes such as “Things We Do for Love”, had themes that touched on sex education, and helped educate people about the disease, giving meaning to the illness and its consequences. Other local productions also played their role in that regard.
This effort to promote knowledge through the media, accompanied by the distribution of booklets and books, has been instrumental in spreading information and reducing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. In both primary and secondary schools, the introduction of an HIV/AIDS song became a memorable tool for educating children. The song, “Now I Know that HIV Exists,” was widely known among schoolchildren in the early 2000s and helped convey critical information about the disease engagingly and memorably.
Despite these efforts, recent data reveals a troubling picture. A report by Citinewsroom.com on June 19, 2024, revealed a 9.0 per cent increase in the HIV population from 2013 to 2023, with an anticipated 6.8 per cent rise from 2023 to 2028 (Asim, 2024). This trend stands in stark contrast to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3, which aims to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Additionally, recent data from the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) underscores the urgency of the situation, showing that new HIV infections among individuals aged 15-24 years account for 28.0 per cent of new cases, compared to 15.0 per cent among children aged 0-14 years (Ghana AIDS Commission, 2019). This disproportionate impact on young people highlights the need for intensified efforts to address the epidemic effectively and meet global health targets.
The purpose of this article is to examine the alarming rise in HIV/AIDS prevalence among young people in Ghana and its implications for national security.
2. Patterns and Trends in HIV/AIDS in Ghana and Africa
AIDS is the primary cause of death for young people in Africa, where most of them reside in sub-Saharan Africa, and it is currently the second greatest cause of death for youth globally (Dako-Gyeke et al., 2020; Kim et al., 2015). In 2016, 73% of adolescents in Africa were newly infected with HIV (UNICEF, 2017). Given that many African nations, including Ghana, have young populations (UNAIDS, 2013), the situation is concerning. According to projections, the population of Africans aged 10 to 24 is estimated to reach over 750 million by 2060. This implies that if the current trends continue, there will likely be a rise in new HIV infections within this demographic (UNICEF, 2016).
Arhin et al. (2021) conducted a retrospective study on HIV prevalence in the Hohoe municipality over five years (2013 to 2017). They discovered that individuals in the 25–34 age range have undergone the greatest number of HIV tests. Regarding gender, throughout the five years, the total number of HIV-positive females exceeded that of males by more than twice. Out of the 18,928 new HIV infections in 2020, 5,211 were young people between the ages of 15 and 24, according to data from the Ghana Aids Commission (GAC). In 2020, this number equated to 28% of all new infections. Among these, 4,325 were females (83% of the total) and 886 were males (17% of the total).
The GAC report from September 2021 states that of the 18,928 new infections reported in 2020, 10,032 (53%) were found in people 25 years of age and older. Similarly, 3,596 new infections of children aged 0-14 were reported, representing 19% of all mother-to-child transmission cases. Journalists were informed by Mr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, the Director General (DG) of GAC, that infections among youth pose a serious threat to the battle against HIV/AIDS. He claims that the 15 to 24-year-olds primarily contract the infection through sexual relations with older males.
3. The Hook-up Culture Among Youths and HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Ghana
The term “hook-up culture” has a unique context in Africa, particularly in Ghana, where it often involves transactional sex, where sexual activities are exchanged for financial gains or material benefits. Such practices are aggressively promoted through social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, where young women brag about involvement in transactional sex for financial benefits. Social media amplifies the normalisation of such activities, with more and more people engaging in risky behaviour. Many young women justify transactional sex as a way to achieve financial stability, often influenced by economic pressures. These women or girls, popularly called “slay queens,” often engage in sexual relations with older men known as “sugar daddies,” which increases the risk of infection (Amo-Adje et al., 2014). Publicly engaging in such behaviour enhances the risk of transmission through inconsistent protection and multiple sexual partners, adding complexity to the management of the epidemic.
4. Youth Bulge and Implications for National Security in Ghana
Ghana has a youth bulge, which presents both opportunities and challenges to national security. While a youthful population may drive innovation and economic growth, the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS among this group poses a serious threat to national stability in terms of workforce productivity, economic development, and social cohesion. A loss on such a scale — maybe a quarter or more of a population to AIDS-related illnesses, along with health systems stretched beyond their limits — undermines the very fabric of society and slows development towards sustainability.
Further complicating the national security dimensions are the side effects of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). While ARVs are essential in managing HIV and improving the quality of life, they come with potential side effects, including gastrointestinal issues, metabolic problems, liver toxicity, kidney damage, loss of bone density, and neurological effects. Such side effects put additional burdens on individuals’ health and productivity, creating more demands on healthcare resources and affecting economic stability. This, accordingly, requires continued medical management and support of affected individuals, further entangling the public health response and its broader constructs about national security.
5. Recommendations and Conclusion
Efforts to reduce the HIV/AIDS pandemic among the youth of Ghana need to be multifaceted. This includes strengthening health systems by providing access to testing, treatment, and prevention services while managing ARV-related side effects. Sexual education and public awareness programmes should aim to reduce risky behaviours and lower stigma.
Revising and enforcing national policies to best meet the needs of young people and improving inter-agency coordination are key steps.
Given this alarming prevalence, HIV/AIDS among youth in Ghana has become a threat to national security, impacting public health, economic stability, and social cohesion.
Challenges such as the visibility of transactional sex on social media and the side effects of ARVs make these issues increasingly critical, demanding comprehensive and multi-layered responses.
A concerted effort by policymakers, healthcare providers, and community leaders is required to manage the epidemic better and secure Ghana’s future prosperity.
Reference
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