Sam George criticises AIDS Commission over lubricant distribution to gays

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation and Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George, has strongly criticised the Ghana AIDS Commission over its reported distribution of lubricants to men who have sex with men (MSM), arguing that the practice is inconsistent with the Commission’s core mandate and diverts attention and resources from more urgent public health needs.

Mr George made the comments on Thursday, April 23, during parliamentary deliberations on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, where he serves as the lead sponsor. The bill, which has generated significant national debate and international attention, seeks to regulate issues relating to sexual orientation and related rights in Ghana.

During his remarks, the MP claimed that there is evidence suggesting that officials of the Ghana AIDS Commission have engaged with pro-LGBTQ advocacy groups and provided them with lubricants.

“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 questioned.

He further rejected the Commission’s explanation that the distribution of lubricants is part of harm-reduction strategies aimed at preventing HIV transmission, particularly among already infected individuals or high-risk populations. According to him, such interventions are counterproductive and may normalise behaviours he believes contribute to the spread of the virus.

“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.

Mr George argued that national health funding should instead be directed toward what he described as more urgent and widely beneficial healthcare priorities. He specifically highlighted gaps in maternal healthcare infrastructure, pointing to shortages of delivery beds in health facilities across the country.

“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.

His remarks were made in the broader context of ongoing parliamentary discussions on the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, which has become one of the most contentious legislative proposals in Ghana in recent years. The bill has sparked intense debate among lawmakers, civil society organisations, religious groups, and international observers over its implications for human rights, public health policy, and social inclusion.

Supporters of the bill argue that it reinforces Ghanaian cultural and moral values, while critics have raised concerns about its potential impact on public health interventions, particularly HIV prevention programmes targeting vulnerable populations.

The debate continues to unfold in Parliament, with strong opinions on both sides shaping one of the most closely watched policy discussions in the country.