Ghana
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- Unclear restrictions - it is not clear to what extent restrictions apply.
The types of restriction are:
- HIV testing/disclosure required for work visa.
- HIV testing/disclosure required for residence.
Restrictions on entry to Ghana
It is unclear whether Ghana imposes restrictions on entry of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Ghana does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
The visa application form published by the Ghana Immigration Service website does not contain questions or fields in relation to any health condition or status.
However, Immigration Act 2000 (Act 573), states that a person may be considered a ‘prohibited immigrant’ if they ‘refuse to submit to a medical examination after being required to do so by a health officer’ or ‘has been certified by a health officer to be medically unfit to enter Ghana’, among other reasons. It it not clear if this would apply to HIV.
According to the information available in the Ghana Immigration Service website, an international certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is required when applying for an entry visa.
Further and detailed information is available in the Ghana Immigration Service Legal Handbook.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Ghana
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Ghana based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Ghana does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
The Ghana Immigration Service contains a list of supporting documents that should be included with a visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Ghana
Sources are mixed on whether Ghana imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Ghana does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
However, some sources indicate that applicants for a Ghanaian work or residence permit must first complete a medical examination certificate, including a medical exam and blood tests for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B among other tests.
According to the information available in the Ghana Immigration Service website, a medical report is required among the documentation to request a work visa. It is not clear if it includes an HIV test.
Treatment access in Ghana
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Ghana. However, it is not clear whether non-nationals are able to access this treatment in the same way as nationals.
Ghana’s health sector is pluralistic, with both public and private healthcare providers. The National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) focuses on HIV prevention, treatment, and care. It promotes condom use, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), while aiming to expand HIV testing and prevention education. Treatment services are available for free in designated public facilities, supported by government and international donors.
HIV services are accessible, but not covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) because treatment is already free in public facilities. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) support HIV prevention and raise awareness but do not provide treatment. Faith-based providers like the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) also offer HIV treatment. Medications and laboratory tests for HIV are free in public facilities, with some medications available in private facilities for a fee.
In depth information on access to treatment and care in Ghana, including prices is available in this EUAA report.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Ghana page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
