Mahama launches Free Sanitary Programme today

President John Dramani Mahama is expected to launch the Free Sanitary Programme to mark the beginning of the distribution of sanitary pads for free to over two million schoolgirls in public basic and secondary schools across the country.

The initiative is in fulfillment of a commitment made in the 2024 Manifesto of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ensure that all schoolgirls have access to menstrual hygiene products.

An amount of GH¢292.4 million was allocated in the 2024/2025 budget for the supply of sanitary pads to female students in public basic and secondary schools across the country.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, highlighted the initiative as a key fulfillment of both a campaign promise and the government’s broader commitment to gender equity in education.

“In the 2024 manifesto of the National Democratic Congress, under the ‘Resetting Ghana’ agenda, we pledged to ensure access to menstrual hygiene products for adolescent girls. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote menstrual health, improve school attendance, and ultimately enhance the academic performance of our girls,” Dr. Naa Momo Lartey stated.

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, on his part, indicated that the National Distribution of Free Sanitary Pads to Female Students in Public Basic and Secondary Schools ahead of the event is “historic.”

“This has never been done before in our country’s history,” Dr. Apaak said.

The event scheduled for today at the Salvation Cluster of Schools at Mamprobi in Accra will be graced by His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, who will serve as the Guest of Honour.

It will also be chaired by His Royal Majesty King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse.”

Dr. Apaak announced that following the national launch, regional ministers and district chief executives will organize similar events in their respective jurisdictions to ensure a smooth rollout of the program.

“Regional and district directors of education are tasked to oversee the distribution, monitor the process, and report on progress. We count on the support of the Ghanaian media to serve as watchdogs and help us ensure the success of this life-changing initiative,” he added.