Free sanitary pad initiative expanded with Ghc292.4m allocation – Mahama

President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting menstrual hygiene and removing barriers to girls’ education by expanding the free sanitary products initiative.

Addressing Parliament during the 2026 State of the Nation Address, Mahama said, “In fulfillment of our pledge to provide free sanitary parts to school girls, a total of 12.2 million packets of sanitary parts were distributed to girls in public schools across the country in 2025. Mr. Speaker, we allocated in this year’s budget, 292.4 million Ghana cedis to sustain the free sanitary part initiative.”

The program aims to improve menstrual hygiene, reduce absenteeism among female learners, and ensure that challenges associated with menstruation do not interrupt education.

“This commitment aims to remove gender-specific barriers to education and ensure that no girl’s education is interrupted due to challenges related to menstrual hygiene,” Mahama said.

Education experts note that access to sanitary products has been a longstanding challenge in Ghanaian schools, particularly in rural areas, contributing to higher absenteeism among adolescent girls. By allocating substantial funding to the initiative, the government seeks to address this inequity and create a more inclusive learning environment.

The initiative complements other interventions aimed at expanding educational access and improving infrastructure, including the upgrading of senior high schools and the construction of new facilities to accommodate a growing student population.

Mahama highlighted the importance of sustained investment in human capital, noting that these measures are part of broader strategies to empower the next generation. “By prioritizing equitable access and expanding infrastructure, we are investing in human capital and laying the foundation for Ghana where every child can learn, grow, and succeed,” he said.

Civil society organizations and education advocates have welcomed the increased funding, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and support to ensure that the products reach the intended beneficiaries.

“This program is critical not just for hygiene, but for ensuring dignity, continuity in learning, and gender equality in education,” a senior education policy analyst said.

By reinforcing initiatives that remove gender-related obstacles to learning, the Mahama administration aims to create an environment where all children, regardless of gender, have the tools and resources to succeed academically.