Ghana is stepping up its fight against HIV this Valentine’s season, as the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) prepares to distribute thousands of condoms and HIV test kits nationwide.
The campaign will take place on February 13, in observance of International Condom Day, a global event held just before Valentine’s Day to promote safe sex and reduce the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
In an interview, Dr. Prosper Akanbong, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, said that this year will be the first time Ghana formally observes International Condom Day.
“13th of February has always been World Condom Day. And in fact, for the first time, Ghana will be observing it.”
Dr. Akanbong explained that the initiative is being led by the Ghana AIDS Commission in partnership with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is entering Ghana for the first time.
“Ghana AIDS Commission is leading this with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation who are now entering Ghana for the first time. So, we’ll launch it on the 13th of February,” he stated.
According to him, the main aim is to raise awareness and encourage condom use, especially during the Valentine’s period, when many people celebrate romantic relationships.
“This is where we bring the awareness to the use of condoms. It’s part of the strategy to make sure people get to know that, look, there’s International Condom Day. Let’s use condoms and we can get the public awareness about condoms,” he said.
“There will be various types that will be there. Flavoured, non-flavoured and all those kinds of condoms,” Dr. Akanbong added.
The distribution forms part of broader efforts to prevent the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS, particularly during festive periods when the risk of unsafe sex may increase. HIV test kits are also being dispatched nationwide to encourage people to know their status.
When asked about concerns that some men avoid condoms because of complaints about size and comfort, Dr. Akanbong acknowledged that such perceptions exist, but said the importance of protection.
“We get to know that there were some times that there were condoms in the system. They said they were smaller for Ghanaian men.”
