Koforidua, Feb. 23, – The Ghana AIDS Commission has intensified calls for consistent condom use as a key strategy to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other related diseases.
Ms. Rita Afriyie, Acting Technical Coordinator at the Commission’s Technical Support Unit, said condoms remained one of the most reliable, accessible and cost-effective methods for preventing HIV and other STIs.
She explained that safeguarding one’s sexual health not only protected individuals and families but also contributed to national productivity by reducing disease burden and healthcare costs.
Ms. Afriyie made the remarks in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Koforidua during activities to commemorate this year’s International Condom Day.
She listed common STIs as gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV, chlamydia, hepatitis B and genital herpes, noting that most infections were transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some, she added, could also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.
International Condom Day, observed annually on February 13, seeks to promote safer sexual practices, increase awareness about HIV and other STIs, fight stigma and encourage the correct and consistent use of condoms, particularly among young people and sexually active adults.
Ms. Afriyie urged the public to purchase condoms from approved outlets such as pharmacies, licensed chemical sellers and recognised health facilities to guarantee safety and quality.
On the importance of testing, she encouraged individuals to know their HIV status and undergo regular STI screening, especially those who are sexually active or have multiple partners.
She said early diagnosis facilitated prompt treatment, prevented complications and significantly lowered the risk of transmitting infections to others.
Ms. Afriyie further advised couples to undertake voluntary counselling and testing together before initiating sexual relationships and to maintain honest discussions about their sexual health.
“Protecting yourself is protecting your partner and protecting the nation,” she emphasised.
GHBUSS
23 Feb. 2026
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