Concerns Rise in Ghana Over Planned Global Condom Price Increase

Concerns are rising among Ghanaians following reports from the world’s largest condom producer Karex over a potential increment in prices of condoms, a development that would have implications on “safe sex” and accessibility since “protection” can no longer be protected from inflation.

According to the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Karex, Goh Miah Kiat, the prices of condoms are going to rise by 30% due to the rise in the cost of raw materials and supply chain disruptions caused by the Middle East war.

Karex is a company based in Malaysia and they are known for producing condoms, personal lubricants, gloves, foley balloon catheters and probe covers. The company manufactures male latex condoms including ONE, Fantasy, Trustex, Carex and Pasante, and it can produce over 5 billion condoms annually. Karex also exports to more than 130 countries, according to its website.

Costs of synthetic rubber, nitrile, lubricants, and packaging materials, many of which are derived from petrochemicals in the Middle East have risen in cost, with some doubling in cost.

“we are still able to get supply. However, prices have really doubled. We are looking at a range of 20-30% increase in terms of pricing to clients….if this trend continues to escalate, we will then have to pass more to our clients” Goh Miah Kiat told Reuters news agency on Tuesday.

As tensions continue to increase, Lucky TV went to conduct a vox pop to know the views of Ghanaian youths on the issue at hand.

Some respondents noted that higher prices could discourage usage, especially among the youth.

“If they increase the price of condoms, it would not help. This is because, there are no jobs available and there’s no money so people are managing the little they have. Also, when they increase the prices, there would be a high rate of sexually transmitted diseases since people would prefer to go “raw” i.e sex without protection”. One respondent stated.

Others raised concern on its implications on health.

“I don’t use condoms but I’m speaking on behalf of my friends and loves ones who do, if the cost of condoms rise, they can’t afford it and so they’ll have unprotected sex which may lead them to contract STDs which they may kater transmit to others as well. Therefore, I’m pleading that they should not increase the cost”, a student pleaded.

Others linked the issue to poor reviews by users of condoms ond how this may discourage it’s use completely.

“This initiative is not going to help because the feedback from some people who use condoms are already not encouraging so increasing the cost is going to worsen the case as they’d rather not buy condoms at all”

Others were neutral on whatever the final decision would be.

“I don’t have a problem with the initiative, I use condoms and people who know the advantages of using it will keep buying but those in the streets might just go “raw”The use of condoms remain a key method in preventing sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies, making affordability a critical factor in public health efforts.

Considering the impending rise in costs, some Ghanaians are calling for measures to ensure that such essential products remain accessible to all.