Oxfam in Ghana has expressed excitement over the government’s decision to allocate GH₵292.4 million toward the distribution of free sanitary pads for female students in primary and secondary schools. The move fulfills a long-standing campaign promise and is seen as a significant step in addressing period poverty among young girls.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, Archibald Adams, Communications Lead for Oxfam in Ghana, emphasized that the organization, along with the CSO Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has been actively championing the Don’t Tax My Pad campaign.
“We were very excited that government has decided to allocate GH₵292.4 million towards the distribution of free sanitary pads. We are happy that the government has fulfilled its campaign promise,” Adams stated.
However, while celebrating the decision, Adams highlighted key areas that need further attention, including local production, accessibility, sustainability, and proper implementation mechanisms.
Oxfam is advocating for the government to prioritize locally manufactured sanitary pads in the distribution plan. Adams noted that only two local companies are currently producing sanitary pads in Ghana, with several others exiting the market due to high taxation.
“In 2023, we secured two tax waivers, on VAT and import duty for sanitary pad production. While this has reduced costs slightly, we need further measures to support local manufacturers. If the government commits to buying from local producers, they can increase production, which will reduce costs and create jobs for young people,” Adams explained.
Beyond the budget allocation, Adams stressed the need for a targeted distribution strategy to ensure sanitary pads reach hard-to-reach communities where period poverty is most severe.
“We want the government to focus on female students who cannot afford sanitary pads and have resorted to unsafe alternatives. Many girls miss up to 60 school days per academic year due to menstruation. Some even engage in transactional sex just to afford sanitary products,” he said.
Oxfam is also pushing for a multi-year funding model to ensure the initiative is not disrupted by future budget constraints. The organization is calling for a permanent removal of taxes on sanitary products to make them more affordable in the long term.
Additionally, Adams emphasized the need for environmentally friendly materials in sanitary pad production to address disposal challenges.
“The sustainability plan should include scrapping taxes on sanitary pads entirely. Instead of relying on government coffers for funding, tax incentives should encourage local production. Also, we must consider environmentally sensitive materials to ensure proper disposal,” he added.
To prevent logistical challenges that have plagued previous government initiatives, Oxfam is proposing a monitoring and accountability system to ensure sanitary pads reach the intended beneficiaries.
“We’ve seen good government initiatives fail due to poor implementation. We are ready to partner with the Ministry of Education and school administrators to set up sanitary pad banks in schools. This will ensure girls can access pads discreetly, without fear or embarrassment,” Adams suggested.
Oxfam has issued a press release reaffirming its commitment to working with the government from policy development to execution and monitoring.
