Ghana AIDS Commission Sounds Alarm: Condom Use Plummets Among Youth Amid Fading HIV Fears, Threatening 2030 Eradication Goals
The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) has issued a stark warning over the alarming decline in condom use among young people, attributing the trend to waning fears of HIV and AIDS as infections become less visibly fatal due to antiretroviral advancements.
Speaking at the 14th National Partnership Forum on HIV and AIDS in Accra on October 22, GAC Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation, Mr. Isaiah Doe Kwao, emphasized that condoms remain the sole multi-purpose prevention tool against HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unplanned pregnancies, urging immediate behavioral shifts to safeguard the nation’s youth.
“Even though we have condoms in this country, it appears the youth of today are not using them as we would want,” Kwao lamented, noting that many opt for unprotected sex due to misconceptions like preferring the “natural feel” or believing HIV is “no longer deadly” after fewer visible deaths.
This complacency has fueled a 15% rise in HIV infections among 15-24-year-olds since 2022, per GAC data, with the 15-24 bracket now accounting for 28% of new cases—up from 20%—as emergency contraceptives replace condoms without STI protection.
Kwao, addressing stakeholders including UNESCO, the Global Fund, and the Ghana Employers Association, called for a multi-pronged response:
“We advise them to either abstain, remain faithful to one partner, or use condoms consistently and correctly.”
He highlighted the youth’s pivotal role, stating, “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.”
To combat the trend, GAC is crafting a 2026-2030 strategic plan targeting the global 95-95-95 goals (95% know status, 95% on treatment, 95% virally suppressed) and appealing for private sector support via the Ghana HIV and AIDS Fund, including donations through short code *9898# starting at GH¢1.
Board Chair Kakra Essamuah reaffirmed GAC’s resolve to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, commending partners for innovation amid emerging challenges like funding gaps.
With HIV prevalence steady at 1.7% among adults but youth cases climbing—particularly in urban hotspots like Accra and Kumasi—the forum pledged renewed collaborations to reverse the tide.
