In a landmark move to promote gender equity and improve educational outcomes, President John Dramani Mahama has officially launched the Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Programme for Girls in School. The national initiative, unveiled on April 24, 2025, in Accra, fulfills a key campaign promise and aims to address the challenges faced by adolescent girls during menstruation, which often lead to school absenteeism.
President Mahama highlighted the significance of the program, stating that it is more than just the distribution of sanitary pads; it is a clear declaration that no girl in Ghana should miss school because of a menstrual period. He emphasized that the menstrual cycle is a natural process and that society must support girls to go through it with dignity and hygiene.
The initiative also pays homage to Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, who, during her tenure as Education Minister, championed a pilot project for free sanitary pad distribution. President Mahama acknowledged her contributions and conveyed her greetings, noting that she is recuperating in the United Kingdom and will soon return to continue their shared agenda.
Reflecting on past challenges, President Mahama recalled that during his previous administration, efforts to implement the program faced opposition and ridicule, with critics dismissing it as the “pad loan.” However, he expressed satisfaction that the importance of the initiative is now widely recognized.
The government has allocated GH¢292.4 million in the 2025 budget to fund the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools. This investment underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring that girls have the necessary resources to manage their menstrual health and stay in school.
Research indicates that girls can miss up to five school days each month due to menstruation, amounting to nearly 40 days of schooling a year. By providing free sanitary pads, the program aims to eliminate this barrier to education and empower girls to reach their full potential.
The launch of the Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Programme marks a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and equitable educational environment in Ghana, where every girl has the opportunity to succeed without being hindered by natural biological processes.
