Ghana’s communications minister, Samuel Nartey George, has criticized the Ghana AIDS Commission over its distribution of lubricants to men who have sex with men, arguing the policy undermines the agency’s mandate to combat HIV.

Speaking during parliamentary deliberations on the proposed Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 on April 23, Mr. George questioned the public health rationale behind the initiative. He contended that providing such materials risks encouraging behavior he believes contributes to the spread of the virus, rather than containing it.

According to Mr. George, officials from the commission have engaged with advocacy groups and supplied lubricants as part of harm-reduction efforts. He rejected the justification that the materials are intended to limit HIV transmission among affected populations, arguing instead that the approach sustains the underlying practices.

The lawmaker, who is a leading sponsor of the bill, called for a reallocation of public health resources toward broader healthcare needs, particularly maternal care. He cited shortages in hospital infrastructure, including a lack of beds for expectant mothers, as a more pressing priority for government funding.

The debate reflects broader tensions in Ghana over public health strategy and proposed legislation that has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny.

Source:TheDotNews