There has been a relative reduction in HIV infection and teenage pregnancy in recent times.
According to the Director-General of the Ghana Aids Commission Dr. Kyeremeh Atuahene, this is as a result of the Free Senior High School Policy instituted by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia led administration.
According to Dr Atuahene, Ghana recorded 16,574 new cases of HIV infections in 2022, comparatively to the 16,938 cases recorded in 2021. This constitute a 2% reduction in the cases.
Dr Atuahene inferred a correlation between the decline numbers of teenage pregnancy and the Free SHS policy. He said the increase in the enrolment of females in secondary schools through the policy has accounted for an almost 50% reduction in teenage pregnancy.
He further stated that the increase in the enrolment of girls in secondary school has created a protective impact, thereby also leading to a 50% reduction in the HIV infection rate.
Between 2016 and 2020, Ghana recorded 542,131 pregnancy cases amongst adolescent girls aged 15-19 years and 13,444 pregnancies amongst young teenagers aged 10-14 years according to the Ghana Health Service District Health Information Management Health System (DHIMS).
Not only are these numbers worrying, but also a critical concern that has life-time ramifications on the life, health, wealth and well-being of the adolescents, their children, families, communities, and the country at large.
Above is a regional and yearly table of teenage pregnancies between 2016 and 2020. It is imperative to note that the free SHS began in 2017. From the above, it can be seen that, although there has been a fluctuating decrease in the number of teenage pregnancy between the aforementioned years, the percentage decrease is not up to 50% as claimed by Dr Atuahene.
Taking a careful look at the HIV statistics in Ghana, although the prevalence of HIV reduced from 2.4% in 2016 to 2.1% in 2017, HIV incidence increased by 36% during that same period. In Ghana, there are currently 354 927 people living with HIV, with an estimated 16 574 new HIV infections in 2022. In 2021, there were 16,938 new cases.
Although there is limited data to show the exact number of new HIV cases that fall under teenage girls, one would have to disentangle the counterfactuals to be able to prove that the Free SHS policy is the exact reason for the relative decrease in HIV new cases.