“GHC300m can build pad factory” – Osei Nyarko disappointed in gov’t over pad procurement
The Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has challenged the government’s decision to allocate GHC300 million for the procurement of sanitary pads for female students in public schools, urging a more sustainable, industrial-focused approach.
In a statement shared on social media, the MP questioned the logic behind spending such a large amount on procurement when the same funds could be invested in establishing a local factory to produce the sanitary products at a lower long-term cost.
“If Government has 300 million Ghana cedis to procure sanitary pads for female students in our public institutions, why can’t Government use the same money to set up a factory to produce [them] itself, which will even cost less than the 300 million allocated for such purposes for 2025?” the MP queried.
The comment comes amid ongoing national debate around the affordability and accessibility of menstrual hygiene products. The government has positioned the initiative as a pro-poor policy aimed at supporting girls’ education and menstrual health.
However, Kennedy Osei Nyarko argued that while the intention behind the initiative is commendable, the execution lacks foresight and economic prudence.
“This country cannot continue to rely on imported solutions to basic needs when we have the capacity to manufacture them here,” he added.
Supporters of his stance say a locally-owned sanitary pad manufacturing plant could create jobs, lower costs through economies of scale, and ensure a consistent supply, thereby addressing both health and economic development goals.
