Almost 50,000 female condoms have expired in Ghana due to low public demand, a senior official at the National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) has revealed.

Dr. Anthony Ashinyo, Deputy Programme Manager of the NACP, said the condoms procured as part of efforts to promote safer sex among women had to be discarded after sitting unused for years.

“We bought a lot of female condoms in the past, but they were simply not being used. Over time they expired, and we had to throw them away,” Dr. Ashinyo told the Ghana News Agency. “Now, procurement is done in smaller quantities because the demand is not there.”

Cultural Barriers and Misconceptions

Dr. Ashinyo attributed the low patronage to deep-rooted cultural attitudes and misconceptions about female condom use.

“Some women believe that wearing a female condom means they cannot be trusted by their partners, so they prefer to rely on male condoms,” he explained. “The desire and willingness to use them just aren’t there.”

He also revealed unusual cases of product misuse, including reports that some women remove the rims of the condoms to make bangles or decorate clothing. Others, he added, complain about discomfort or overstimulation during use.

Public Health Concerns

Dr. Ashinyo warned that the declining use of condoms, especially among women, threatens Ghana’s progress in combating sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

“Condoms are a biomedical protective tool. They collect secretions that may contain viruses. When people don’t use them, those secretions come into direct contact during intercourse, increasing the risk of infection,” he said.

The lack of demand, he noted, has also affected the supply chain, leading pharmacies and public health facilities to stock only limited quantities. He called for renewed public education to address misconceptions and promote safer sexual behaviour.

Rising HIV Infections Among the Youth

According to the 2024 National and Sub-National HIV and AIDS Estimates and Projections Report, about 334,721 people are living with HIV in Ghana. The country recorded 15,290 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths last year alone.

Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, said new HIV infections among young people are rising due to complacency and low condom use.

“A person living with HIV still fears disclosure, ostracism, and uncertainty about their future. We must challenge this,” Dr. Akanbong said, urging Ghanaians to show compassion and respect for people living with HIV.

To increase access and encourage use, he announced plans to install condom dispensing machines at public locations such as transport terminals, university campuses, and youth events.

Global Context

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that HIV has claimed 44.1 million lives as of July 2025, globally.

Despite continued transmission, the agency says prevention efforts and antiretroviral therapy (ART) remain key tools in controlling the epidemic.

Credit GNA

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan