Accra, Oct. 24. The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has expressed concern over a decline in condom use among young Ghanaians, attributing it to a reduced fear of HIV and AIDS infections.
Mr Isaiah Doe Kwao, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Commission, said that although condoms were widely available, many young people were engaging in unprotected sex, perceiving HIV as less threatening due to fewer visible deaths.
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“Even though we have condoms in this country, it appears the youth of today are not using them as we would want,” he told the Ghana News Agency during the 14th National Partnership Forum on HIV and AIDS in Accra.
Mr Kwao explained that some youth preferred “going raw” and mistakenly believed that HIV was no longer deadly. “Some say they prefer the natural feel. Others think HIV is no longer deadly because they no longer see people dying like before, so the fear factor is gone,” he noted.
Describing the perception as dangerous, he stressed that condoms remain one of the most effective tools for preventing HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies. He urged young people to practice safer sexual behaviours, either by abstaining, remaining faithful to one partner, or using condoms consistently and correctly.
“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,” Mr Kwao said.
On Ghana’s goal of ending AIDS by 2030, he disclosed that the Commission was developing a strategic plan (2026–2030) to guide interventions towards achieving the global 95-95-95 targets, ensuring 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 donors such as USAID and the Global Fund. He called on the government to bridge the funding gap and urged 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 forum, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment 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.
Representatives from UNESCO, the Global Fund, NAP+ Ghana, and the Ghana Employers Association pledged continued support for Ghana’s efforts in combating HIV and AIDS.
