The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced that the government has allocated GH¢292.4 million to launch the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.
Presenting the 2025 Budget to Parliament, he explained that the initiative falls under the “Free Sanitary Pads” program, which also includes financial relief for first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
“We have earmarked GH¢292.4 million to begin distributing free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools,” he stated.
The program fulfills President John Dramani Mahama’s 2024 manifesto pledge to support girls in basic and senior high schools by addressing menstrual hygiene challenges and reducing school absenteeism.
Mahama made the promise in response to public calls for the removal of import duties on sanitary pads to make them more affordable.
“To curb absenteeism, free sanitary pads will be provided to female students from Primary 5 to SHS, starting in March 2025,” Mahama affirmed during his maiden State of the Nation Address.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to ease the financial burden on Ghanaians amid ongoing economic challenges.
Credit: Graphic Online.
