Expired, Ignored, and Misunderstood
By Hotdigitalonline – Accra | November 2025
Nearly 50,000 female condoms procured by Ghana’s National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) have expired due to low public demand, a development health officials say underscores deep social stigma and misconceptions surrounding women’s sexual health.
Low Demand, High Cost
According to Dr. Anthony Ashinyo, Deputy Programme Manager of the NACP, the expired condoms were part of large consignments intended to promote safer sex among women, but cultural and social resistance meant very few were used.
“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 told the Ghana News Agency.
Dr. Ashinyo explained that negative perceptions continue to discourage women from embracing female condoms. Many, he noted, associate their use with mistrust or infidelity — viewing them as tools for promiscuous women rather than a means of protection.
“Many women believe wearing female condoms means they cannot be trusted by their partners, so they would rather rely on male condoms,” he said. “The desire and interest just aren’t there.”
Myths, Misuse, and Missed Opportunities
Dr. Ashinyo revealed some unexpected uses of the unused condoms — with reports of women removing the rims to make bangles, clothes, and accessories. Others complained about discomfort or “overstimulation” when using them.
While the anecdotes may sound humorous, he warned that the low uptake poses a serious public health risk, particularly to women who remain disproportionately vulnerable to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
“Condoms are a biomedical protective tool that collect secretions containing viruses. Without them, infections spread more easily through direct contact,” he stressed.
The low demand has also disrupted the supply chain — pharmacies and public clinics now stock only limited quantities of female condoms due to poor turnover.
Rising HIV Infections and Stigma
Ghana currently has an estimated 334,721 people living with HIV, according to the 2024 National and Sub-National HIV and AIDS Estimates and Projections Report.
The country recorded 15,290 new infections and 12,614 AIDS-related deaths last year.
Health officials say new infections among the youth and women are rising, largely due to declining condom use and persistent stigma around HIV.
Dr. Kharmacelle Prosper Akanbong, Director-General of the Ghana AIDS Commission, said young people have grown “complacent” about HIV risks and often avoid testing or condom use.
“A person living with HIV still fears disclosure, still fears ostracism, and still fears for their future. We must challenge this,” he said, calling for greater compassion and education.
New Prevention Measures
In response, the Ghana AIDS Commission plans to install condom vending machines in public spaces — including university campuses, transport hubs, and youth events — to increase access and normalize use.
Health experts say normalizing conversation around condoms, especially female-controlled ones, is essential for progress.
“Protection is not shameful — it’s responsible,” one sexual health advocate told Hotdigitalonline. “When women can protect themselves without stigma, the whole country benefits.”
Hotdigitalonline Reflection
The expired female condoms are more than a statistic — they are a mirror reflecting Ghana’s ongoing struggle with gender norms, stigma, and communication about sexual health.
True progress in the fight against HIV and STIs will require not just policy but also a shift in perception — from silence and shame to safety and empowerment.
As the world marks over 44 million lives lost to HIV, Ghana’s story reminds us that prevention begins with conversation — and that every unused condom represents both a missed opportunity and a call to action.
Tags: #HIVAIDS #FemaleCondoms #PublicHealthGhana #GhanaAIDSCommission #AnthonyAshinyo #KharmacelleAkanbong #Hotdigitalonline #WomensHealth #HIVAwareness #SexualHealthEducation
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