AIDS Commission Raises Alarm That Youth Are Abandoning Condoms

Despite being a preventive measure against the dreaded HIV-AIDS, why would youths of any country shun the use of condoms?

Well, this is the million dollar question that authorities in Ghana are now trying to find answers to?

That country’s AIDS Commission has just raised the alarm over the declining use of condoms among young people, attributing the trend to a reduced fear of HIV and AIDS infections.

Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), Mr Isaiah Doe Kwao, who raised the alarm, said that although condoms remained widely available, many young people were becoming complacent about its use.

They have now been discovered to prefer unprotected sex, he has been quoted variously in the media as saying.

“Even though we have condoms in this country, it appears the youth of today are not using them as we would want.

“Some say they prefer the natural feel. Others think HIV is no longer deadly because they no longer see people dying like before, so the fear factor is gone,” he stated, at the 14th National Partnership Forum on HIV and AIDS in Accra on Wednesday

He described the preference of some young people to “going raw” as dangerous, stressing that condoms remained one of the most effective tools for preventing sexually transmteed diseases generally, but HIV particularly.

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“As much as possible, we continue to encourage them to reduce risky behaviours.

“Condom use is still key in preventing HIV and other infections. We advise them to either abstain, remain faithful to one partner, or use condoms consistently and correctly.

“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,” he added.

Mr Kwao also updated on Ghana’s goal of ending AIDS by 2030, saying the commission was developing a strategic plan (2026–2030) in that direction.

However, he added, the success of the plan would be contingent on adequate funding and the possibility of all persons living with HIV knowing their status, receiving treatment and achieving viral suppression.

“It is incumbent on the government of Ghana to fill in the gap so that we can implement the interventions we’ve laid out,” he said.