The Government of Ghana is set to launch a Free Sanitary Pad Initiative aimed at supporting girls in schools across the country. This program seeks to address period poverty, which contributes to high absenteeism and dropout rates among schoolgirls. The initiative will distribute sanitary pads to girls in both basic and secondary schools, especially in underserved and rural areas. It aligns with the government’s broader policy to promote gender equality and ensure that no girl misses school due to menstruation.
The program is expected to benefit over two million girls nationwide. The government has allocated GH¢292.4 million in the 2025 budget for the supply and distribution of sanitary pads to female students in basic and secondary schools across the country. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote menstrual health and hygiene for adolescent girls and forms part of President John Mahama’s 120-Day Social Contract with the people of Ghana.
The launch event is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Salvation Army Cluster of Schools in Accra. The initiative is championed by President John Dramani Mahama and aims to promote menstrual health and hygiene among adolescent girls, with the goal of reducing absenteeism, improving retention, and enhancing academic performance.
To support local industry and ensure sustainability, the government plans to procure sanitary pads from Ghanaian manufacturers. This move is expected to boost local production capacities and create employment opportunities. The Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Agribusiness has engaged with local producers to facilitate this process.
The Free Sanitary Pad Initiative reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing educational access and promoting gender equality. By addressing menstrual health challenges, the program aims to empower girls to stay in school and achieve their full potential.
Subscribe to GH EDUCATE for credible news and updates.
Keep sharing with family and friends
