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The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has raised concerns over a worrying decline in condom use among young people, warning that complacency about HIV and AIDS could reverse years of progress in prevention. Speaking at the 14th National Partnership Forum on HIV and AIDS in Accra, the Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Commission, Mr. Isaiah Doe Kwao, said although condoms remain widely available, more young people are engaging in unprotected sex due to a misplaced belief that HIV is no longer a deadly disease. “Even though we have condoms in this country, it appears the youth of today are not using them as we would want,” Mr. Kwao stated. He explained that some young people preferred “going raw” and believed HIV was no longer life-threatening because they rarely see people dying from AIDS-related complications. “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 added. Mr. Kwao described such attitudes as dangerous, stressing that condoms remain one of the most effective and affordable tools for preventing HIV infections, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies. He urged the youth to either abstain, stay faithful to one partner, or use 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,” he said. On Ghana’s target to end AIDS by 2030, Mr. Kwao revealed that the Commission is developing a new Strategic Plan (2026–2030) to guide national interventions and achieve the global 95-95-95 targets — ensuring that all persons living with HIV know their status, receive treatment, and achieve viral suppression. He however noted that inadequate funding continues to hinder progress, following reduced support from donor partners such as USAID and the Global Fund, calling on government and the private sector to bridge the gap. “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 emphasized. The Commission has also launched a donation short code ( *9898# ) to allow individuals and organizations to contribute directly to the Ghana HIV and AIDS Fund. Chairperson of the GAC Board, Mr. Kakra Essamuah, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to mobilizing domestic resources to sustain Ghana’s HIV response and eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Representatives from UNESCO, the Global Fund, NAP+ Ghana, and the Ghana Employers Association also pledged continued support toward the national HIV response. Source : GNA
