Private legal practitioner, Lawyer Victoria Bright, has expressed concern over the growing trend of young people engaging in unprotected sex, despite the well-known risks associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.

She described the development as worrying and said it points to a need for renewed public education.

Speaking on the AM Show, Lawyer Bright said she was surprised that, in 2025, attitudes toward safe sex appear to be regressing. She noted that many young people now view unprotected sex as normal within social circles.

“We all know the dangers of doing that, and I’m surprised that in 2025 we seem to be regressing in that regard,” she said. “I was speaking to some young people over the weekend and they said it’s actually very common. If you know each other or you’re in the same friend group, then it’s considered okay.”

Her comments come after the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) raised alarm over a noticeable decline in condom use, particularly among the youth. According to the Commission, the trend is partly driven by a reduced fear of HIV and AIDS infections, as many young people now see the disease as manageable due to advancements in treatment.

Lawyer Bright believes the shift in behaviour shows that awareness campaigns are no longer resonating as strongly as before. She stressed the importance of intensified sexual health education, especially in schools and youth-focused spaces.

She added that social familiarity should never be a basis for abandoning safe sex practices because trust does not eliminate health risks.

“Maybe we need a bit more education on that,” she emphasised.

The Ghana AIDS Commission has already indicated plans to roll out new awareness programmes this year to encourage condom use and reduce risky sexual behaviour nationwide.

Health experts continue to urge the public to prioritise protection, warning that HIV remains a significant public health challenge in Ghana.