Introduction
HIV in Bono Region has become one of Ghana’s most pressing public health concerns, with thousands of people living with the virus and hundreds of new infections still being recorded each year. According to regional data from the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), the Bono Region has a higher HIV prevalence than the national average, making it a closely watched hotspot in the country’s HIV response. Behind these statistics are real families, young people and communities grappling with stigma, life-long treatment and economic strain. This Global Standard News (GSN) special report explores how the numbers are changing, why infections persist and what it will take to reverse the trend.
How Bono Became a a High-Burden Region
To understand the current state of HIV in Bono Region, it is important to look at how the crisis developed over time. Historically, the Bono enclave, with commercial hubs such as Sunyani, Berekum, Dormaa and Wenchi, has recorded HIV prevalence slightly above Ghana’s national average. The region sits on important transport and trading corridors linking the south to the north, which brings high population mobility, transit workers, traders and an active nightlife economy. Public health experts note that such mobility is often associated with higher HIV risk and inconsistent access to health services.
Earlier national HIV surveillance reports consistently placed Bono among the regions with elevated infection levels. While Ghana expanded HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) nationwide, not all communities benefitted equally. Rural areas and some peri-urban settlements in the region remained underserved, with limited routine testing, fewer laboratories and long distances to ART centres. Cultural and religious attitudes towards sexuality, along with fear of gossip, have also discouraged many from voluntarily testing for HIV, even when they suspect exposure.
Over the last decade, Ghana has made progress in reducing AIDS-related deaths and mother-to-child transmission. However, the Bono Region’s persistently higher burden of HIV shows that national averages can mask regional hotspots. As the Ghana AIDS Commission and its partners push towards global targets, the situation in Bono has become a critical test of the country’s ability to deliver tailored, community-based responses that match local realities.
Current Development: New Infections and Hard Numbers
Recent data from the Ghana AIDS Commission indicate that HIV in Bono Region has reached worrying levels. As of the most recent regional report, the Bono Region was estimated to have close to 20,000 people living with HIV, with figures in earlier reports placing the number around 19,281 people. In a single year, the region recorded more than 800 new infections, underscoring that transmission is ongoing and not simply a legacy of past infections.
These numbers are particularly concerning because they are higher than the national prevalence, which hovers around the low single digits. Health officials warn that even modest increases in new cases can put pressure on local clinics, laboratories and community outreach programmes. The data show that infections are not limited to one age group or gender. Women, especially young women and those of reproductive age, account for a significant proportion of cases, reflecting global patterns where women and girls often face greater vulnerability due to biological factors and gender inequality.
Young people remain at the centre of the story of HIV in Bono Region. Adolescents and young adults, particularly those between 15 and 24 years, are increasingly represented in new infections. This is linked to factors such as early sexual debut, multiple partners, limited comprehensive sexuality education, economic hardship and peer pressure. Many young people do not see HIV as an immediate threat, especially in the era of effective treatment, which can create a dangerous sense of complacency.
The treatment landscape is mixed. On one hand, more facilities in the Bono Region now offer HIV testing, counselling and ART. On the other hand, some patients still present late, sometimes when their immune systems are already severely weakened. Distance to clinics, fears about confidentiality, transportation costs and occasional stock challenges all contribute to treatment gaps. When people are not consistently on treatment and virally suppressed, the chain of transmission continues.
At the regional level, health directorates, the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana AIDS Commission have intensified community outreach, free testing campaigns and prevention programmes. Yet, the numbers show that current efforts, while important, are not enough on their own. The challenge of HIV in Bono Region requires a deeper look at the structural and social factors that fuel ongoing infections.
Why HIV in Bono Region Keeps Rising
A closer look at the drivers of HIV in Bono Region reveals a mix of behavioural, social and structural factors. Analysts point first to high population mobility. The Bono Region’s strategic location means a constant flow of travellers, traders, drivers and seasonal workers. Mobile populations often have fewer stable health touchpoints, meaning they may not test regularly or maintain consistent treatment if they move between districts or across borders.
Social dynamics also play a powerful role. In busy towns such as Sunyani and Berekum, nightlife, entertainment spots and informal relationships create conditions for unprotected sex. Condom use remains lower than public health officials would like, and some people still hold myths and misconceptions about condoms and HIV. In relationships with unequal power, especially where women are economically dependent on partners, negotiating safer sex can be difficult.
Stigma is another major barrier in the story of HIV in Bono Region. Many people fear that testing positive will lead to gossip, discrimination or even isolation from their families and communities. As a result, some avoid testing altogether or delay it until they become very sick. Others may test but refuse to collect results or engage with treatment services. Stigma also stops people from openly discussing HIV prevention, which limits the impact of public health campaigns.
There are also health system challenges. Although the region has made progress, not every community has easy access to confidential, youth-friendly services. Some facilities experience occasional shortages of test kits or staff, and routine follow-up of patients can be difficult when addresses are unclear or people frequently move. These gaps mean that the full potential of modern HIV treatment and prevention tools is not yet being realised in many parts of the Bono Region.
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Reactions and Voices from the Frontline
Stakeholders following HIV in Bono Region are sounding the alarm. Regional officials from the Ghana AIDS Commission have repeatedly highlighted the need to increase early testing and expand prevention messages. One official, speaking at a regional health forum, stressed that “Bono cannot be left behind in Ghana’s HIV response. We must normalise HIV testing, ensure everyone who tests positive starts treatment early and tackle stigma in our communities.”
Health workers at district hospitals and clinics describe a heavy workload but remain committed. A nurse in Sunyani told GSN that many of her patients do well once they start ART, but the biggest challenge is getting people to come in early. “By the time some patients arrive, they are already very weak. If they had tested earlier, their lives would be much easier,” she said.
Civil society organisations and youth groups are also playing important roles in addressing HIV in Bono Region. They organise school outreaches, community durbars and radio discussions to share accurate information and break myths about HIV. At the same time, global health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to remind countries that sustained investment and community engagement are needed to bring infections down.
Global and Local Impact: Why Bono Matters to Ghana and Beyond
The situation of HIV in Bono Region has implications far beyond the region’s borders. Ghana, like many countries, has committed to the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: 95 percent of people living with HIV should know their status, 95 percent of those diagnosed should be on sustained treatment and 95 percent of those on treatment should have viral suppression. Regional hotspots such as Bono will heavily influence whether Ghana achieves or misses these targets.
A high burden of HIV can affect households, workplaces and entire local economies. When people fall sick in their most productive years, families can lose income, children may drop out of school to support relatives and healthcare costs can consume limited savings. For a region that also contends with other health challenges such as non-communicable diseases and maternal health gaps, a persistent HIV burden stretches resources even further.
The story of HIV in Bono Region also connects to broader global health concerns. Antimicrobial resistance, diabetes and other chronic conditions are rising worldwide, and Ghana is not exempt. Readers who follow GSN’s earlier coverage such as Global Health at Risk: WHO Sounds Alarm on Rising Antibiotic Resistance and World Diabetes Day: Experts Warn of Rising Global Cases will recognise a common theme: health systems must handle multiple overlapping threats at once.
Strengthening Bono’s HIV response therefore supports Ghana’s wider health resilience. When communities can access testing, treatment and prevention without fear, they are better prepared to face other outbreaks and long-term health challenges. International partners, including UNAIDS and WHO, are likely to look closely at how regions like Bono are supported as part of Ghana’s national strategy.
Turning the Tide on HIV in Bono Region
The rise of HIV in Bono Region is a warning that progress against HIV is not guaranteed and cannot be taken for granted. While Ghana has recorded important national gains, regional disparities remain. Bono’s high burden, driven by mobility, stigma, behavioural risks and system gaps, demands a stronger, more targeted response that puts communities at the centre.
The way forward will require honest conversations, regular testing, early treatment and unwavering support for people living with HIV. With sustained leadership from the Ghana AIDS Commission, local health authorities, civil society and international partners, the region can bend the curve. Protecting the future of Bono means ensuring that HIV prevention, care and dignity remain at the heart of public health planning.
