The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation and MP for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has criticised the Ghana AIDS Commission over what he describes as the distribution of lubricants to men who have sex with men.
Speaking during deliberations on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025 on Thursday, Mr George, who is also a lead sponsor of the bill, argued that public health resources should be redirected to more pressing needs, particularly maternal healthcare.
He questioned the rationale behind the Commission’s approach, suggesting it conflicts with its core mandate to combat HIV.
“We have evidence of Ghana AIDS Commission officers meeting with pro-LGBTQ groups and giving them lubricants. If the Ghana AIDS Commission is supposed to fight HIV, why are you giving lubricants to men to have anal sex with men?” he said.
Mr George dismissed explanations that the materials are intended to reduce the spread of HIV among affected populations.
“And the excuse given is that these are people who already have HIV, and so they don’t want them to spread it. So they are giving them lubricants. That in itself is an activity that continues to perpetuate anal sex between men,” he stated.
He further maintained that limited public health funds should be channelled into areas he considers more critical.
“If they really want to fund public health, they should go and give maternal beds for women who do not have beds for delivery. This one, we won’t open the door,” he added.
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