The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has raised concerns about the declining use of condoms among young people, attributing this trend to a decreased fear of HIV and AIDS infections. Mr. Isaiah Doe Kwao, Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation at the Commission, stated that although condoms are widely available, many young people are becoming complacent about their sexual health and are choosing unprotected sex despite the associated risks.
“Even though we have condoms in this country, it seems that the youth today are not using them as much as we would like,” he said during the 14th National Partnership Forum on HIV and AIDS in Accra on Wednesday. Mr. Kwao explained that some young people prefer not to use condoms, believing that HIV is no longer a deadly threat because there are fewer visible deaths associated with it. “Some say they prefer the natural feel of sex without barriers. Others think HIV is no longer deadly since they no longer see people dying as they did in the past, leading to a loss of fear regarding the virus,” he noted.
He described these perceptions as dangerous and emphasised that condoms remain one of the most effective methods for preventing HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies.
“As much as possible, we continue to encourage them to reduce risky behaviours. Condom use is still key in preventing HIV and other infections. We advise them to either abstain, remain faithful to one partner, or use condoms consistently and correctly,” he said. Mr Kwao urged young people to take their health seriously, noting that their well-being was vital to Ghana’s future development.
“The youth are the future leaders of this country. We want them to stay safe, grow into healthy adults, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he added. On Ghana’s goal of ending AIDS by 2030, Mr Kwao said the Commission was developing a strategic plan (2026–2030) to guide interventions towards achieving the global 95-95-95 targets. This would ensure that all persons living with HIV know their status, receive treatment and achieve viral suppression.
Mr Kwao noted that inadequate funding remained a major challenge following the withdrawal or reduction of support from donor partners such as USAID and the Global Fund. “It is incumbent on the government of Ghana to fill in the gap so that we can implement the interventions we’ve laid out,” he said.
He also appealed to the private sector to support the national HIV response through corporate social responsibility initiatives and contributions to the Ghana HIV and AIDS Fund. “We have developed a short code, *9898#, where individuals can donate as little as one cedi to support HIV activities in the country,” he added.
Mr Kakra Essamuah, Board Chair of the GAC and Chairperson of the event, said the Commission remained committed to mobilising domestic resources to sustain Ghana’s HIV response and eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. He commended stakeholders for their continued collaboration and called for renewed commitment and innovation to address emerging challenges in the national HIV response.
Representatives from UNESCO, the Global Fund, NAP+ Ghana and the Ghana Employers Association pledged continued support to Ghana’s efforts in combating HIV and AIDS.
Source: GNA
