By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
Almost 50,000 female condoms procured by the National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) have gone to waste after expiring, owing to low public demand, according to Dr. Anthony Ashinyo, the programme’s Deputy Manager.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Dr. Ashinyo revealed that the expired condoms were part of a large stock intended to encourage safer sex practices among women. However, limited interest in their use meant that many remained unused until their expiry.
“We bought a lot of female condoms in the past, but they were not being used. Over time they expired, and we had to throw them away. Now, procurement is done in very small quantities because the demand is not there,” he explained.
He attributed the low patronage to deep-rooted social and cultural barriers, noting that many women perceive the use of female condoms as a sign of mistrust or promiscuity.
“Many women believe that wearing female condoms means they cannot be trusted by their partners, so they would rather rely on male condoms. The desire and interest to use the female condoms are just not there,” Dr. Ashinyo said.
Dr. Ashinyo also raised concerns about misuse of female condoms, disclosing that some women remove the rims to make fashion accessories such as bangles or use the material for clothing designs. Others, he added, complain of discomfort and overstimulation during use.
He warned that the decline in condom use—especially among women—poses a serious challenge to Ghana’s fight against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. “Condoms serve as a biomedical protective tool that collects secretions containing viruses. When people don’t use them, those secretions come into direct contact during intercourse, increasing the risk of infection,” he cautioned.
The low uptake, he noted, has disrupted the supply chain, leading pharmacies and health facilities to stock only small quantities. He called for intensified public education and advocacy to dispel myths and promote the use of female condoms as part of the national HIV prevention strategy.
According to the 2024 National and Sub-National HIV and AIDS Estimates and Projections Report, Ghana currently has about 334,721 people living with HIV, with 15,290 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths recorded last year.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, has expressed concern over rising new infections among young people, attributing the trend to low condom usage and growing complacency toward HIV risks.
To address the challenge, he announced plans to install condom dispensing machines in public places, including transport terminals, university campuses, and youth events, to make condoms more accessible.
“A person living with HIV still fears disclosure, still fears ostracism, and still fears for their future. We must challenge this,” Dr. Akanbong urged, calling on Ghanaians to treat people living with HIV with dignity and respect.
Globally, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 44.1 million lives have been lost to HIV as of July 2025. The agency emphasizes that while transmission continues, antiretroviral therapy (ART) and effective prevention measures offer hope in reducing infections worldwide.
