The minister of finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has allocated nearly GH¢800 million to support students in tertiary and basic schools through the 2025 budget, with funds dedicated to easing financial burdens and improving menstrual hygiene.
Presenting the budget, the finance minister announced that GH¢499.8 million has been allocated for the No-Academic-Fee policy to support all first-year students in public tertiary institutions. “An amount of GH¢499.8 million has been allocated for the No-Academic-Fee policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions under the ‘No-Fees-Stress’ initiative,” he stated.
The John Mahama government promised during their 2024 campaign to introduce free tertiary education which is intended to ease burden for tertiary students. Upon several deliberations, it was made clear to the public that, this policy applies to only first year students.
In addition to supporting students, the government is prioritizing menstrual health for girls in primary and secondary schools. The budget has allocated GH¢292.4 million to distribute free sanitary pads to female students to help combat period poverty. “We have allocated GH¢292.4 million to commence the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools,” the Minister stated.
Period poverty is the challenge where females are unable to purchase sanitary products to due high costs which is as a result of high taxes. The government has allocated money to distribute sanitary pads to students, however, concerns remain about the high taxes on sanitary pads, which continue to make them unaffordable for many.
While this intervention is commendable, it is arguable that removing the luxury tax on sanitary products would be a more sustainable solution. Currently, menstrual products in Ghana are taxed heavily, making them expensive for the average girl.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Deborah Amuzu
