The Acting Director-General for the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC), Dr. Khamacelle Prosper Akanbong, has said that the Commission would roll out condom dispensing machines across the country to curb HIV and to also end the stigma of buying condoms at public places.
Speaking at the 23rd Edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025), he mentioned that, the United State Commission has sent a concept note and proposal to National Security Secretariat before the National Security Secretariat for review and clearance before deployment of the condom dispensing machines begins.
The initiative, he noted was proposed due to the decline in condom use among the youth and also to encourage safe sexual practices.
“And we are trying to rule out the condom dispensing machine across the whole country.”
He added that, the dispensary machine when installed, would be stationed at places of convergence for easy accessibility.
“We are looking at very common places where they would be available, places of convergence, transport stations, night clubs, football parks…, university campuses.”
He stated that, besides the condom machine, they would be reviewing the national condom and lubricants program by the end of the year 2025.
“Besides that, we are also reviewing our national condom and lubricants program, which should be done by the end of the this year,” he said.
The initiative is part of a broader review of the National Condom and Lubricant Use Strategy, aimed at finding new, youth-centered approaches to increasing condom adoption and protecting public health.
This year’s World AIDS Day will be observed under the theme: “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.”
With the vending machine rollout, the Ghana AIDS Commission hopes to transform not just access but also public attitudes, normalising safe sex, promoting privacy, and empowering young people to make responsible choices about their health.
Contributor Opare Christabel
