More education and awareness campaigns will end HIV/AIDS - Society for AIDS in Africa

The Society for AIDS in Africa on May 14, 2026, held its 8th Executive Board handing-over ceremony in Accra, marking a significant leadership transition within the continental organization dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS across Africa.

The event, held under the theme “Transition of Leadership,” officially transferred leadership from the outgoing Executive Board headed by Hon. Dr. David Pagwesesu Pariranya to the newly elected President, Dr. Richard Nchabi Kamwi, who will lead the organization for the next four years.

The Society for AIDS in Africa conducts elections every four years, allowing members from across the continent to elect a new Executive Board. Following the elections, board members internally select key executives, including the President, Secretary, and Treasurer, to oversee the affairs of the organization.

The ceremony brought together major stakeholders in Africa’s fight against HIV/AIDS, including the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanpong; the World Health Organization Country Director, Dr. Fiona Braka; and the Coordinator of the Society for AIDS in Africa, Luc Armand Bodea.

Speakers at the event reflected on the progress Africa has made in reducing HIV/AIDS infections and improving treatment access while also highlighting persistent challenges that continue to threaten efforts to end the disease on the continent.

According to Dr. Fiona Braka, the current phase of the HIV response remains critical as countries continue working toward global targets aimed at eliminating AIDS as a public health threat.

“This election is happening at a very pivotal time when the HIV response needs to be sustained because we have not yet reached our targets and so the work still continues,” she stated.

Newly elected President, Dr. Richard Nchabi Kamwi, assured members and stakeholders that the organization would intensify efforts toward disease prevention, treatment, and eventual eradication.

“The only way is to make sure that there’s no disease burden. Those that can be prevented, curable, eliminated and finally eradicated,” he said.

He stressed the importance of strengthening collaboration among African countries, governments, health institutions, and civil society organizations to accelerate progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.

Meanwhile, Coordinator of the Society for AIDS in Africa, Luc Armand Bodea, called for renewed public education and awareness campaigns to sustain the fight against HIV/AIDS.

According to him, awareness about HIV/AIDS has reduced significantly in many African countries, despite the disease remaining a major public health concern.

“The way forward to end AIDS from our side is to be creative. That means more education, more awareness because you go to any street in Accra and you will not see any billboards talking about AIDS,” he stressed.

Health experts at the event also underscored the need for increased funding, youth engagement, improved healthcare systems, and sustained international partnerships to help Africa achieve global HIV/AIDS reduction targets.

The ceremony reaffirmed the Society for AIDS in Africa’s commitment to promoting research, advocacy, education, and collaboration aimed at ending HIV/AIDS across the continent.