Ghanaian Member of Parliament Sam George has publicly criticized the Ghana AIDS Commission for distributing lubricants to men who have sex with men (MSM), as reported by multiple local media outlets on April 23, 2026. The MP, known for his vocal stance against LGBTQ+ rights, argued that the distribution violates Ghanaian law and undermines public health messaging.
According to a statement from George's office, the distribution occurred as part of a harm reduction program funded by international donors. The MP questioned the legality of such activities under Ghana's Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Act, which was passed in 2025 and criminalizes LGBTQ+ advocacy and related services.
The Ghana AIDS Commission has not issued an official response as of April 24, 2026. However, public health experts have noted that targeted interventions for MSM are evidence-based strategies to reduce HIV transmission, which remains a significant public health challenge in Ghana.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between public health approaches and recent legislative changes in Ghana. The country's HIV prevalence rate among MSM is estimated to be significantly higher than the general population, according to UNAIDS data from 2023.
