The National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) says nearly 50,000 female condoms procured to support national HIV prevention efforts have expired due to low public demand.
Dr Anthony Ashinyo, Deputy Programme Manager of the NACP, told the Ghana News Agency that the expired consignments formed part of large quantities purchased to encourage safer sexual practices among women. However, poor patronage meant most of the stock remained unused until 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 said.
He attributed the low uptake to social and cultural perceptions that discourage women from using the product.
“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,” he added.
Dr Ashinyo also noted cases of misuse.
“Those we targeted to use the condoms sometimes remove the rims and use them to design bangles or clothes. Others say the condom stimulates them too much when worn because of how it fits, which discourages continued use,” he said.
He warned that the low adoption of condoms, especially among women, undermines national efforts to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
“Condoms serve as a biomedical protective tool that collects secretions containing viruses. When people don’t use them, it means those secretions come into direct contact during intercourse, increasing the risk of infection,” he said.
Dr Ashinyo said the reduced demand has affected supply chains, with pharmacies and health facilities now stocking limited quantities.
He called for renewed education and advocacy to correct misconceptions and promote female condom use as part of HIV prevention strategies.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), HIV attacks the body’s immune system and, without treatment, can progress to AIDS.
The virus is transmitted through body fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions, but not through casual contact. WHO notes that HIV is preventable and manageable through antiretroviral therapy.
As of July 2025, HIV had claimed an estimated 44.1 million lives globally. Ghana’s 2024 National and Sub-National HIV and AIDS Estimates and Projections Report indicates that about 334,721 people are living with HIV.
Dr Khamacelle Prosper Akanbong, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, said 15,290 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths were recorded last year.
He said new infections among young people were rising, driven partly by low condom use and a reduced perception of risk.
To address this, he announced that the Commission would soon install condom dispensing machines at transport terminals, sports venues, university campuses and youth-focused events to boost accessibility.
Dr Akanbong added that stigma and discrimination remain major impediments to ending AIDS.
“A person living with HIV still fears disclosure, still fears ostracism, and still fears for their future. We must challenge this,” he said.
He urged the public to view HIV as a manageable health condition, emphasising that people living with HIV deserve dignity, respect and full participation in society.