ICASA 2025: Steering committee meets in Accra as Ghana readies to host Africa’s largest HIV/AIDS conference

Ghana is preparing to host the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2025). The conference will take place from December 3rd to 8th at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The event aims to attract over 12,000 participants. It will include scientists, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and civil society organizations. They will discuss Africa’s response to HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious diseases.

Discussions will also focus on domestic health financing due to declining donor support.

On March 28th, health officials held the second International Steering Committee meeting in Accra. They reviewed progress and finalized the list of plenary speakers. The meeting emphasized Ghana’s leadership role in sustainable public health funding.

Dr. David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa is the President of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) and Chair of ICASA 2025. He stated that the conference would help African countries take ownership of their health challenges.

He said, “We cannot continue to rely on donor funding.” He urged Africa to prioritize health using its own resources like oil and cocoa.

Dr. Parirenyatwa praised President John Dramani Mahama for securing Ghana's hosting rights. He called it a timely opportunity for governments to rethink health financing strategies.

Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong is the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission. He described Ghana hosting ICASA as a significant step in addressing HIV.

“For the first time, Ghana is hosting ICASA,” he noted. The local organizing committee has several responsibilities including providing scholarships for about 500 young health workers.

Dr. Akanbong highlighted that this conference would have economic and research benefits too. It offers a chance to showcase Ghana’s progress in HIV response globally.

He mentioned potential cuts to U.S. HIV funding are increasing pressure on Ghana for alternative sources. “We must act quickly,” he said regarding financial resilience for programs.

Prof Muhammad Chakron is Vice President of SAA. He pointed out that ICASA 2025 occurs during strained global health funding times.

“The most pressing issue is securing funding for global health,” he noted after U.S. assistance was frozen.

Prof Chakron encouraged African nations to invest more in HIV, TB, malaria, and research initiatives at the conference.

Mr Luc Armand Bodea is Director of ICASA and Coordinator of SAA. He urged Ghanaians to engage actively with the conference activities.

“ICASA is not just for experts; it includes people living with or affected by HIV,” he explained.

Mr Bodea announced that ICASA 2025 would feature a Community Village for public participation without fees or formal invitations.

He confirmed representation from 32 countries at the steering committee meeting and expects at least 120 countries at the main event in December.

“Ghana hosts this not just for itself but for West Africa,” he added.

The conference will include over 560 sessions covering scientific research and policy development among other topics.

Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe represented the Minister of Health at the meeting. He reaffirmed Ghana’s readiness to host this significant event.

“This is a proud moment for Ghana,” he said about welcoming thousands of guests.

While HIV prevalence has remained under 2% in Ghana for nearly a decade, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe stressed more work is needed on new infections and treatment improvements.

“ICASA gives us a rare opportunity to learn from others,” he concluded.

He mentioned collaboration among various government ministries including Finance and Tourism in preparation efforts.

“We’re inviting private sector support as well; this benefits our economy too,” he added.