Sections of the public have been criticizing the Ghana Aids Commission or the Ghana Social Marketing Foundation (GSMF) sponsored adverts on condoms.

The critics say the adverts promote sex before marriage instead of the contrary and have argued that the more of such adverts that are promoted, the more promiscuity that would be allowed and the faster and wider spread of HIV/AIDS.

The distribution system of condoms which varied has taken a new trend in some communities in the capital city, Accra. Reports reaching ADM speak of condoms being distributed to juveniles at funerals and parties.

ADM's own verification at some communities in Kwashiebu, Osu, La, Kaneshie and New Town among others have confirmed this. Though the use of condom is not a "crime" and is being promoted worldwide due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, critics say, in certain hands, it may even spell disaster. The free condoms that are distributed at funerals and other public social occasions go not only to grown ups but to juveniles who are as young as between twelve and fifteen years.

Knowing this, these juveniles besiege funerals and party grounds just to secure condoms "for they know that it would be difficult for it to be sold for them at the pharmacy," our source said.

Recently, an elderly person at Kwashiebu, Mr. Nortey, at a funeral told the ADM that the new trend of condom distribution is "an insult to our culture."

He said Ghanaians are widely known for their respect for the dead but "it is unfortunate that the current generation has turned funerals into merrymaking. The dignity and solemnity at funerals is no longer respected."

In reaction, the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Aids Commission, Mr. Eric Pwadura said there was nothing wrong with distributing condoms at funerals and parties since they could be grounds for "social vices".

However, he checkmatered himself by saying that the youth should not take advantage of it to use condoms indiscriminately. He said adults should not pretend that juveniles do not engage in high risk behaviour but rather they should be equipped with protection when they can't abstain.

"Just in case it happens they should use it to protect themselves," he said.

He said another way of looking at the distribution of condoms at funerals and parties is to draw the attention of everybody to the need to protect oneself anywhere one finds oneself but emphasized that, "we are still using the three strong approaches Abstinence, Be faithful to your Partner and Condom use (ABC)."

Mr. Adjavor who likened the use of condoms to the wearing of seatbelt said with the evidence available, the non-availability of condoms did not prevent sex more than the non-availability of seatbelts in cars during accidents. But he said many more survive sex without acquiring infections if they use a condom.

The current HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the country stands at 3.4% as against 2.9% in 2001. He said this indicates an increase of 50% which is of great concern to the Ghana Aids Commission. He added that research also shows that 6000 youth worldwide get infected daily and may not know their HIV status until after five to ten years time.

"That is why we must act now," he said.