Ghana AIDS Commission Alarms as Youth Abandon Condoms

The Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) is sounding the alarm over a disturbing trend: decreasing condom use among young people, even as HIV infections continue to rise.

According to Isaiah Doe Kwao, Director of Research, Monitoring & Evaluation at GAC, condoms are still readily available, but many youths are becoming complacent about their sexual health. Some believe HIV is no longer deadly or choose “going raw” (unprotected sex) for the “feel.” 

The Commission also notes that many young people now prioritize preventing pregnancy over protecting against HIV and other infections. This growing preference for emergency contraceptives over condoms is seen as a dangerous shift in behavior. 

GAC warns that this trend could undo years of progress in HIV prevention. To counter it, they are urging:

- Intensified public education on correct and consistent condom use  

- Campaigns to reinforce the message of dual protection (protecting against both pregnancy and infections)  

- Engagement of parents, educators, and community leaders in open discussions on sex, risk, and protection

- ⁠The commission’s warning comes at a critical moment: new HIV cases among youth aged 15–24 are rising, and the call to action has never been more urgent.    

Let’s wake up, protect ourselves, and hold each other accountable.

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