As part of government’s commitment to promoting menstrual health, dignity and uninterrupted education for girls, Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, has donated cartons of sanitary pads to more than 1,000 girls in 17 schools and institutions across the Volta Region to commemorate this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

The sanitary pads were distributed to vulnerable institutions, including special and inclusive schools, Islamic basic schools, a female correctional facility and psychiatric hospitals, with the aim of promoting dignity, improving health outcomes and supporting the education of girls.

The donation was presented on behalf of the Vice President by the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu.

The intervention forms part of the nationwide Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Programme launched by President John Dramani Mahama on April 24, 2025. 

The programme seeks to tackle period poverty, reduce school absenteeism and improve menstrual hygiene among nearly two million girls from Primary Five to Senior High School across the country.

Addressing beneficiaries during the distribution exercise, Mr. Gunu stated that government has demonstrated a strong commitment to menstrual health through the distribution of more than six million sanitary pads to girls in basic and secondary schools in 2025.

He added that an allocation of GH¢292.4 million has been earmarked in the 2026 Budget to sustain the nationwide free distribution programme.

According to him, the initiative is designed to remove financial barriers associated with menstrual hygiene, reduce period poverty and ensure that girls remain healthy, confident and focused on their education.

He disclosed that more than 1,000 girls in 17 schools and institutions in the Volta Region are benefiting from the latest distribution exercise, stressing that government will continue to collaborate with relevant agencies and partners to ensure transparency, effective monitoring and sustained public awareness.

“Our Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Policy directly tackles the impact of menstrual poverty on school attendance, health and confidence, particularly among disadvantaged girls and those with special needs,” he stated.

Mr. Gunu further assured that the Volta Regional Coordinating Council would work closely with the Office of the Vice President, ministries, departments, agencies and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to ensure efficient and transparent implementation of the programme, while intensifying public education to break the stigma surrounding menstruation.

He also encouraged young girls not to allow menstruation to become an obstacle to their ambitions.

“To our girls, your education and aspirations should never be interrupted because of menstruation. The NDC Government remains committed to removing these barriers and creating equal opportunities for every girl to succeed,” he said.

On behalf of the Vice President, Mr. Gunu expressed appreciation to Access Bank Ghana for supporting the initiative.

Through its partnership with the Office of the Vice President, more than one million sanitary pads are expected to be distributed to vulnerable groups nationwide, including special schools, Islamic basic schools, a female correctional facility and psychiatric hospitals.