Condom shortage in Ghana?

Sogakope (The Ghanaian Times) 16 May 2002 - The increase demand for condoms use resulting in its short supply on the market has prompted a workshop at Sogakope to ensure that the commodity is available to users at all times.

Participants made up of health experts, financiers, and suppliers of condoms and other contraceptives have been discussing ways of ensuring the presence of the products on the market. Available statistics have shown that this year alone, a total of 31.2 million condoms would be required for the market as compared to 19.283 million used last year.

According to the statistics, about 39 million of the condoms would be required next year to meet the market demands. The increase in demand, according to Dr Gloria Quansah-Asare of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), was due to the massive promotional campaigns on the airwaves, newspapers, posters and billboards throughout the country.

According to Dr Quansah-Asare, the demand for contraceptives rose from 1,484 in 1997 to 8.304 in 2001 among them was Norplant, which was widely patronised by women. She said as a result of the demand for Norplant product, nurses had been adequately trained to cope with the rising number of female users.

Dr Quansah-Asare, who is able the Coordinator for Family Planning at the Ministry of Health, said other contraceptives such as spermicides, cervical caps, pills monthly injectables and diaphragms were used by females as alternative choices. He said donor support for finances to procure the devices was dwindling hence the need for the workshop to explore ways of maintaining them on the market.

Dr Quansah expressed regret that cross border smuggling of the commodity to neighbouring countries was another factor responsible for the shortfall. Consequently, she stressed the need for the security agencies to ensure that the products remained in the country.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Resident Representative, Mr Moses Mukasa, expressed his organisation’s commitment to assist Ghana to take strategic action necessary to ensure the availability of reproductive health services including contraceptive in the system. The Deputy Minister of Health, Mr Moses Dani Baah, delivered the keynote address.