The Ghana Health Service (GHS), in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and development partners, today marked Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 under the national theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly Ghana.” The commemorative event took place at the Ashaiman Cluster of Schools and drew participation from government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, and students.

The ceremony was chaired by the Ashaiman Market Queen, Naa Amui, who welcomed guests and emphasized the importance of empowering young girls through improved menstrual health education and access.

Key dignitaries in attendance included the Deputy Minister of Education, Hon. Clement Apaak, the Director-General of the GES, Prof. Ernest Davies, and the Ashaiman Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Freeman Tsekpo.

Speakers throughout the event underscored the urgent need to break taboos surrounding menstruation and called for stronger, coordinated efforts to improve menstrual hygiene management (MHM) nationwide. Hon. Tsekpo pledged to enhance Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in schools and ensure a consistent supply of sanitary products.

Representatives from UNFPA and UNICEF also reaffirmed their commitment to tackling period poverty, citing alarming figures on the number of girls who still lack access to menstrual products—an issue contributing to school absenteeism and unsafe coping strategies.

A strong call was made to address systemic challenges such as the taxation of sanitary products, with stakeholders advocating for policy reforms to improve affordability and accessibility. The government’s Free Sanitary Pads Programme was widely praised as a significant step toward educational equity and health justice for adolescent girls.

Support from partners such as the Naa Adoley Foundation and Adwinsa Publications further bolstered the impact of the event, providing educational materials and menstrual hygiene kits to students.

The Ghana Health Service reiterated its commitment to advancing adolescent health and ending period poverty across the country.

Credit: GHS