President Mahama launches national free sanitary pads for school girls

The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has officially launched the national distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in public basic and secondary schools on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

The initiative aimed at supporting over 2 million girls in basic and senior high schools across Ghana. This programm is part of the government’s broader strategy to promote menstrual health and hygiene, improve school attendance, and enhance academic performance.

Speaking at the event, President Mahama emphasized that this initiative 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.

“Far too any of our daughters, our nieces and sisters, have missed out on education not because they lack the academic intelligence and the flare or the will or the ambition, but simply because they lack access to proper sanitary products.” He explained

According to President Mahama, research has shown that girls can miss up to five school days each month, amounting to nearly 40 days of schooling a year. He said, this is not just a statistic, it represents a young girl falling behind in class, losing her confidence, and struggling to catch up because of what is a natural, biological process.

“This reality is unacceptable, in Ghana where we aim for progress, equity and justice, this must not continue. Menstruation should never be a reason for exclusion or shame. It should not be a barrier to education or self achievement, and that is why this program exists to remove one of the silent, yet powerful obstacles standing in the way of our girl child dreams.” He mentioned.

“ We’re acting today to restore hope, hope to the girls who thought they had to sit out for several days every month, hope to parents who worried about how to provide these essential products to their daughters, and hope to a nation that wants every child to rise regardless of their background or their gender.” President Mahama stressed.

President Mahama revealed that, this program is a multi ministerial collaboration involving three ministries; the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.

He continued that, the programme also aligns with our national goals and global commitments, particularly the SDG four, which states quality education, and SDG five, which talks about gender equality, but beyond that, it is rooted in something more profound.

He underscored the initiative is rooted in our values as Ghanaians, our belief in fairness, in dignity and equal opportunity for all our children, whether they are boys or girls.

“So today, I say to every girl child in Ghana, you are not alone. You are not forgotten, and you are not invisible. We see you, we believe in your potential, and we will stand with you every month, every term and every year.” He added.