Ghana to Host ICASA 2025: A Major Milestone for Africa’s HIV/AIDS Response

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By Richard Agodzo

On October 3, 2023, Ghana was officially announced as the host country for the prestigious 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), scheduled for December 3-8, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre. This decision marks a monumental occasion, being the first time Ghana has been selected to host the conference, which will bring together global leaders, advocates, researchers, and healthcare professionals.

The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), founded in 1989, is the organization behind this landmark event. Since its inception, SAA has been dedicated to providing a global platform to address Africa's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. ICASA has grown into a crucial gathering that unites thousands of delegates from across the globe, sharing insights, strategies, and research to combat not only HIV/AIDS but also STIs, malaria, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and emerging viral infections. In 2023, over 8,000 delegates from more than 105 countries attended ICASA in Harare, Zimbabwe, emphasizing the conference's growing global importance.

The selection of Ghana as the host country was the result of a competitive bidding process, with the West African nation's strong leadership under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo being pivotal to its success. The country’s commitment to addressing HIV/AIDS challenges in the West African region played a significant role in securing its place. Highlighting Ghana’s success, Dr. Emmy Chesire, SAA Executive Board Member, remarked, “Ghana’s demonstrated leadership in health, particularly in addressing HIV/AIDS, was key to its selection. The country is well-positioned to advance Africa’s collective efforts towards ending the epidemic.”

ICASA 2025 will be more than just a gathering of experts. It will serve as a critical platform to further Africa’s health systems and align with major global and continental agendas, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. As stated by Mr. Luc Armand Bodea, ICASA Director, “ICASA 2025 will be a pivotal moment for Africa. It will contribute significantly towards our shared goal of ending new HIV infections by 2030.”

The event will also mark the 35th anniversary of the Society for AIDS in Africa, an important milestone that emphasizes the organization's longevity and sustained impact. In reflecting on the historical significance of ICASA, Dr. David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa, ICASA 2025 President, emphasized, “ICASA’s journey from its origins to the present day has been one of resilience and commitment. Each conference serves as a reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work that remains.”

With preparations already underway, stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed and participate in the planning stages, including the first International Steering Committee meeting scheduled for November 28-29, 2024, in Accra. Ghana’s hosting of ICASA 2025 is expected to bring renewed focus and momentum to the continent’s efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat.

The entire global health community is looking forward to ICASA 2025 with optimism and anticipation. As Dr. Chesire noted, “ICASA 2025 will build on the successes of previous conferences, further mobilizing efforts towards ending the HIV epidemic while strengthening health systems across Africa.”


For more information, visit the Society for AIDS in Africa’s official website: www.saafrica.org.

About the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA)
The SAA was established in 1989 at the Fourth International Symposium on AIDS and Associated Cancers in Africa. It has since organized biennial ICASA conferences, providing a platform to enhance Africa's responses to the HIV epidemic.

H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, with Hon. Dr. David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa, ICASA 2025 President, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, Minister of Health, Dr. Emmy Chesire, SAA Executive Board member, Mr. Luc Armand Bodea, ICASA Director, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General, Ghana Health service, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, Director General, Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Stephen Ayisi Addo, Programme Manager, NACP and Prof. Kwasi Torpey, Dean, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, at Jubilee House, Accra-Ghana 

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