Nearly 50,000 female condoms procured by the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) have expired unused due to low public demand, according to the Deputy Programme Manager of the National AIDS/STI Control Programme, Dr. Anthony Ashinyo.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Ashinyo disclosed that the expired stock was part of earlier large-scale procurements aimed at promoting safer sex for women. However, the initiative failed to gain traction among the target demographic.
“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.
Dr. Ashinyo pointed out that deep-rooted social and cultural attitudes continue to discourage women from embracing female condoms. Many associate their use with mistrust or infidelity in relationships.
“Many women believe that wearing female condoms means they cannot be trusted by their partners, so they would rather rely on male condoms,” he added.
He also expressed concern over misuse, revealing that some women repurpose the rims of female condoms as fashion accessories such as bangles or decorative items on clothes, while others complain of discomfort or overstimulation during use.
Dr. Ashinyo warned that declining condom use among women poses a significant threat to Ghana’s fight against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and 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 stressed.
With low demand affecting the supply chain, most pharmacies and health facilities now stock only limited quantities. He urged renewed public education and advocacy to break stigma and encourage female condom use as a core part of national HIV prevention efforts.
Data from the 2024 National and Sub-National HIV and AIDS Estimates and Projections Report indicates that 334,721 people currently live with HIV in Ghana. The country recorded 15,290 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths in 2024.
The Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, expressed concern over rising infections among the youth, attributing the trend to low condom usage and a growing complacency toward HIV risks.
To address this, Dr. Akanbong announced plans to install condom dispensing machines in public spaces including transport terminals, university campuses and youth events to boost accessibility.
“A person living with HIV still fears disclosure, still fears ostracism, and still fears for their future. We must challenge this,” he urged, calling for greater dignity and respect toward people living with HIV.
Globally, HIV has claimed about 44.1 million lives as of July 2025, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). While transmission remains a global concern, the WHO notes that increased awareness, preventive tools and expanded antiretroviral therapy (ART) have significantly improved infection management and survival rates.
