Breaking the Chains: The Silent Struggles of Ghanaians Living with HIV

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By Richard Agodzo

It was a bright morning in Accra when I met Adwoa, a 32-year-old single mother of two. Her smile was warm, but her eyes carried the weight of a battle she never signed up for. She had been diagnosed with HIV four years ago, and since then, her life has been a series of heartbreaks, resilience, and hope.

“When I tested positive, I thought my life was over,” she recalled. “But what nearly killed me wasn’t the virus—it was the way people treated me.”

Adwoa had lost her job as a bank teller just months after her diagnosis. One careless slip from a colleague led to whispers in the office. Soon, her supervisor called her in, suggesting it would be best to " take a break” for her “own health.” That break never ended. At the hospital, a nurse once hesitated before touching her, and her own family started serving her meals in separate bowls.


Adwoa’s story is not unique. Across Ghana, thousands of people living with HIV face stigma and discrimination—not just in their communities, but also in places that should offer protection: the workplace, healthcare settings, and even within their own families.

The Stigma That Kills More Than the Virus

The fear of discrimination forces many to suffer in silence. Kofi, a young university student, nearly took his own life when a friend disclosed his status to others on campus. He was bullied, called names, and even forced to leave his hostel. “I stopped taking my medication,” he admitted. “I just wanted the pain to end.”

This is the reality for many. Stigma pushes people away from seeking care, leaving them vulnerable to severe health complications. It is why Ghana, despite its efforts in HIV prevention and treatment, still struggles with adherence rates and why many prefer to keep their status hidden rather than risk rejection.

A Call for Justice: The Need for a Stigma and Discrimination Reporting System

For too long, stigma has been allowed to thrive because there are no consequences for those who discriminate. There is an urgent need for a Stigma and Discrimination Reporting System—a platform where people living with HIV can report cases of discrimination at workplaces, hospitals, schools, and even within their communities. This system should not just be a database; it must be backed by action—ensuring justice for those affected.

We have laws and policies against discrimination, but how often are they enforced? Ghana cannot achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) if we leave a section of the population behind. SDG Goal 16, which focuses on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, demands that we build a system that ensures fairness for all, including persons living with HIV.

Empowering Communities: The Role of Paralegals Living with HIV

One way to fight back is to strengthen the paralegal system—ensuring that trained persons living with HIV lead the way in advocating for justice. Who better to understand the struggles than those who live through them? Equipping community members with legal knowledge and support can make real progress in holding institutions accountable.


Towards 2030: Achieving 95-95-95 and 10-10-10

A future free from stigma is not just a dream; it is a necessity if Ghana is to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets (95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% on treatment, and 95% achieving viral suppression). It also aligns with the 10-10-10 targets, ensuring that fewer people experience stigma and discrimination.

We must remember that a sound mind is essential for adherence. No one should have to choose between their health and their dignity.

A Final Thought: Breaking the Chains Together

As I finished my conversation with Adwoa, she looked at me with hope in her eyes. “I just want to live like everyone else. Is that too much to ask?”

It’s not. But for that to happen, we must all be part of the change—as individuals, as a nation, and as a global community. Stigma is a human-made problem, and that means we have the power to end it.

The time to act is now. For Adwoa. For Kofi. Every Ghanaian living with HIV deserves respect, dignity, and a future free from discrimination.


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