The government is intensifying measures to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS from pregnant women to their babies, Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has said. Speaking at the launch of the Civil Society Strengthening Programme (CSSP) Strategy in Accra on Monday, Dr Lartey highlighted progress in protecting future generations from contracting the virus.
“Particular emphasis is being placed on supporting pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS. We have recorded significant strides in ensuring that children born to these mothers are protected,” she stated.
Globally, about 1.3 million women and girls with HIV become pregnant each year, with a 15–45% risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) without intervention. In Ghana, studies show MTCT is the second leading mode of HIV transmission, accounting for nearly all infections in children under 15.
Dr Lartey also stressed the importance of localising decision-making in the government’s partnership in shifting the power, “Our partnership is significant, especially when shifting power from central authorities to local actors, so communities can own the impact of every intervention,” she said.
Eunice Agbenyadzi, Head of Programmes at STAR-Ghana Foundation, added that empowering local civil society organisations ensures development priorities reflect the lived realities of communities. “By shifting power and decision-making from funders and institutions in the Global North to local communities, we ensure interventions are relevant, sustainable, and led by those best placed to determine local needs,” she explained.
The Shifting the Power (StP) Programme is an eight-year initiative led by STAR-Ghana Foundation in partnership with the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), Zambia Governance Foundation, and TILITONSE Foundation. The programme is supported by Comic Relief and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to strengthen local capacity in health and social development interventions.
Dr Lartey called on all stakeholders to work closely with local actors to ensure interventions are impactful and sustainable, emphasising that community ownership is key to eliminating mother-to-child HIV transmission in Ghana.