GAF dismisses viral HIV screening claims as fake news

The Ghana Armed Forces has dismissed online claims that most military applicants failed medical screening due to HIV, describing the circulating report as false.

The clarification follows the circulation of a news card on social media alleging that about 60 per cent of applicants who underwent medical screening for enlistment into the Ghana Armed Forces were found to be HIV positive.

In a press release dated January 25, 2026, and issued by the Department of Public Relations at the General Headquarters in Burma Camp, Accra, the Ghana Armed Forces said the claim was entirely untrue and should be ignored by the public.

“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to state categorically that the publication is FAKE NEWS and should be ignored by all,” the statement said.

According to the release, the medical screening process for applicants is still ongoing and no official results have been declared.

The Armed Forces stressed that any figures or conclusions being circulated at this stage could not be accurate.

“The medical process is ongoing and no results have been declared as at now,” the statement added.

The Ghana Armed Forces noted that the false claim, which gained traction online through news cards and social media posts, had the potential to misinform the public and undermine confidence in its recruitment processes.

It said steps were already being taken to identify those responsible for originating and spreading the misleading information.

“The general public is hereby informed that all efforts are underway to trace the originators of the mischievous story,” the release stated.

Beyond denying the claim, the Armed Forces used the opportunity to caution media practitioners and digital content creators to exercise greater responsibility in their work, particularly when reporting on sensitive issues such as health and national security.

It urged journalists, bloggers and vloggers to verify information from official sources before publication. The statement specifically called on media actors “to be circumspect and crosscheck their facts before going to press.”

The Armed Forces’ response seeks to contain the spread of misinformation and reassure the public that its procedures remain professional and confidential.