Essipong: Mr Samuel Yao Atidzah, Executive Director of GOSANET Foundation, emphasized the crucial role condoms and self-testing play in preventing new HIV infections, especially among young and vulnerable populations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Atidzah highlighted the persistent public health concern posed by HIV in the country, calling for concerted efforts in education and the promotion of condoms and self-testing. He made these remarks in an interview ahead of International Condoms Day, observed on February 13, aimed at promoting safer sex and reducing HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
GOSANET Foundation, a health NGO in the Volta region, acts as an Implementing Partner of the Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET). Mr. Atidzah pointed out the effectiveness of condoms in providing triple protection against HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancies. He stressed the importance of sustained community-level prevention interventions aligned with national HIV response priorities.
During the last quarter of 2025, GOSANET Foundation, under the GHANET OVP Project in the South Dayi district, distributed 500 HIV self-testing kits and 1,440 male condoms to youth and other priority groups. Additionally, the Foundation delivered 1,504 HIV-related prevention services, including stigma and discrimination education campaigns reaching 503 community members, and human rights education benefiting 337 individuals.
Mr. Atidzah stated that the Foundation focuses on strengthening community knowledge on issues such as sexual and gender-based violence and provisions of the Ghana AIDS Commission Act. The Foundation also engages with fisherfolk communities, identified as a priority due to mobility and vulnerability factors, to educate them on criminal offenses related to HIV.
He emphasized that addressing stigma, discrimination, and human rights barriers is essential for improving access to HIV prevention, testing, and care services, as well as for achieving national HIV response targets. As an Implementing Partner of GHANET, the Foundation remains committed to supporting the Ghana AIDS Commission and the Ghana AIDS Control Programme in advancing evidence-based HIV prevention interventions and contributing to the national goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat.