Ghana to host ICASA next year… as drive to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa
Ghana is set to host the 23rd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) from December 3 to 8, 2025, as part of a renewed drive to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the continent.
Expected to convene over 10,000 delegates from about 150 countries, the conference would serve as a platform to assess and share knowledge, review inter-sectoral achievements in HIV response, malaria, hepatitis and other emerging diseases.
The conference that would be held on theme: ‘Unity in Action: Catalysing Integrated and Resilient Health Systems for Sustainable responses to HIV and other infectious diseases and emerging threats,’ will be pivotal in advancing Africa’s health systems towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of ending new HIV infections by 2030 and advancing the AU Agenda 2063.
Addressing a news conference to announce key decisions of the first International Steering Committee meeting of ICASA 2025, in Accra on Friday, the President of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), Dr David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa, expressed confidence in Ghana’s capability to host the conference given that it has made huge success in the fight against HIV/ AIDS.
He stated that ICASA had the potential to create more awareness on HIV/AIDS as a critical public health challenge and the conference sought to discuss the issues and strategies to reduce disease transmission.
“Each time we have an ICASA in any country, historically, the head of state of that country officially opens ICASA and that alone mobilises awareness towards HIV,” Dr Parirenyatwa said.
He stressed the need for unity in the fight against HIV/AIDS, saying, “Unity in action is key so we need to integrate. Let’s look at health systems that are resilient, sustainable and seeks to address HIV/AIDS and other diseases.”
The Treasurer of SAA, Professor Morenike Ukpong, noted that achieving the 2030 targets to end AIDS required more political commitment, efficiency, and impact on the ground.
She stressed the importance of integration, sustainability, and domestic funding in ensuring a successful HIV response.
The Coordinator of SAA, who also doubles as ICASA Director, Mr Luc Armand H. Bodea, emphasised the importance of knowing one’s HIV status, which will be one of the highlights of the conference to encourage more individuals to overcome their ignorance and get tested for HIV.
“For ICASA to be successful journalists need to make it known out there to the public. This is why I’m calling you as a journalist and all the media in Ghana to carry the news and let the world know that ICASA 2025 will be held in Ghana,” he indicated.
BY ABIGAIL ANNOH
