A quiet but revealing shift is unfolding in Ghana’s sexual health marketplace as the demand for sexual enhancement drugs appears to be rising while condom patronage shows signs of decline. Observations from pharmacies and emerging public health concerns suggest that the economics of sexual behaviour in urban Ghana may be changing, with pleasure enhancement products and pregnancy prevention methods increasingly competing with traditional protection methods.
At the centre of this trend are aphrodisiacs and sexual performance enhancers, which pharmacy operators say are now attracting more customers than condoms in some retail outlets. Field interviews conducted at a pharmacy in Accra suggest that the demand for these products reflects a broader shift in consumer priorities, where sexual performance and pleasure are increasingly shaping purchasing behaviour.
Richard Davor, a pharmacy technician at Unicom Pharmacy, says the difference in patronage between condoms and aphrodisiacs is noticeable in daily sales.
“Like in a day only one,” he said when asked about condom purchases. “Four, five people come to buy the aphrodisiacs.”
According to him, customers often purchase drugs designed to prolong sexual activity or enhance erection, sometimes combining multiple products to intensify the effect. Some of the commonly requested products include well known brands of erection enhancers and delay tablets such as Red Sun, Tad and Viagra, which pharmacists say customers often request by name.
“You have different brands. Popular ones are Red Sun and Tad,” he explained while describing products designed to enhance erection. “One tablet can be like five cedis depending on the brand.”
The demand for these products reflects what some pharmacists describe as a growing interest in sexual endurance and performance. Davor believes the trend may be linked to changing social influences, particularly the increasing circulation of sexual content on social media platforms.
“I don’t know, because of the pressure now. It seems like a fantasy. They want to impress more,” he said.
In the same pharmacy setting, the market for female aphrodisiacs is smaller but still present. Interestingly, some of these products are purchased not by women but by men.
“The guys actually purchase the female aphrodisiac more,” Davor said. “Because of what they want to use it for.”
He explained that certain liquid aphrodisiacs can be mixed into drinks and take effect within minutes. While such products are sold legally in pharmacies, their potential misuse has raised concerns about ethical and safety implications.
The evolving market behaviour is also intersecting with a worrying trend in public health. Authorities have recently warned that condom use among young people in Ghana is declining, even as the country continues to battle sexually transmitted infections.
The Ghana AIDS Commission has expressed concern about the situation, noting that complacency about HIV and AIDS may be reducing the perceived need for protection.
“Even though we have condoms in this country, it appears the youth of today are not using them as we would want,” said Isaiah Doe Kwao, Director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the Ghana AIDS Commission.
Health officials say this decline in condom use could increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections. According to the Commission, the reduced fear of HIV infections is contributing to the trend.
“Some say they prefer the natural feel. Others think HIV is no longer deadly because they no longer see people dying like before,” Mr Kwao explained.
At the same time, pregnancy prevention appears to be a growing concern among sexually active young people. Studies and health reports suggest that unintended pregnancy remains a major challenge in the country, with refusal to use condoms accounting for a significant proportion of adolescent pregnancies.
A Ghana Health Service study indicates that nearly 70 percent of adolescent pregnancies in Ghana are linked to the refusal to use condoms during sex.
Pharmacists say this reality may partly explain why emergency contraceptive pills are also recording strong sales. According to Davor, demand for pregnancy prevention methods is closely competing with the market for aphrodisiacs.
“The pills and the aphrodisiacs are going hand in hand,” he said.
The emerging pattern suggests that while some consumers prioritise pleasure and performance, others focus on preventing pregnancy rather than preventing infections.
Public health experts warn that such attitudes could have serious consequences. Condoms remain one of the most effective methods for preventing both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections when used correctly.
As Ghana continues to confront evolving sexual health challenges, the growing market for performance enhancing drugs highlights an important intersection between consumer behaviour, health awareness, and the business of pharmaceuticals. What appears to be a quiet shift in pharmacy counters may ultimately reflect broader cultural and economic changes shaping sexual behaviour across the country.
