By Iddi Yire
Accra, June 09, GNA – In a landmark collaboration between the British High Commission and the Office of the Vice President of Ghana, a high-level dialogue and documentary premiere were held to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD) 2025.
A statement issued by the British High Commission in Accra, copied to the Ghana News Agency said the event took place at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Accra under the theme “Together for a Period-Friendly Ghana.”
Held under the distinguished patronage of Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, the event brought together government officials, development partners, civil society, and youth advocates to spotlight the urgent need for menstrual health equity.
The centrepiece of the event was the premiere of a powerful documentary produced by the National Technical Committee on MHM, which highlighted the lived experiences of schoolgirls in marginalized communities.
Filmed in the Central Region, the documentary captured the voices of girls, educators, policy makers and community leaders, revealing the barriers girls face in managing menstruation and staying in school.
“Periods should not be the period to a girl’s education,” said one student featured in the film, reinforcing the event’s central message that menstruation must never hinder a girl’s right to learn and thrive.
The initiative was coordinated by the Social Policy Advisor to the Vice President, in partnership with the British High Commission, Ghana Education Service (GES), Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and a coalition of development partners including UNICEF, WaterAid Ghana, World Vision Ghana, Plan International Ghana, and CONIWAS.
The event successfully raised awareness of menstrual hygiene challenges and their impact on girls’ education, promoted inclusive policies and sustainable menstrual health solutions, and mobilized stakeholders to support local initiatives for affordable menstrual products.
Speaking at the event, Madam Harriet Thompson, the British High Commissioner to Ghana said: “The passage of Ghana’s the Affirmative Action Act provides a powerful framework to address systemic gender inequalities including those rooted in menstrual health”.
“Ensuring girls can stay in school and thrive is a foundational step toward achieving the Act’s goals of equal participation and representation. This collaboration between the UK and Ghana reflects our shared commitments to dignity, equality, and opportunity for all girls.”
Vice President Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang said: “Menstrual health is a matter of justice, dignity, and opportunity. No girl should ever be held back by her period. Together, we are building a Ghana where every girl can thrive free from stigma, free from barriers, and full of promise.”
The documentary is scheduled for nationwide broadcast and digital release to continue driving public engagement and policy dialogue.
A public screening also took place at the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, coinciding with the global observance of Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The campaign continues online under the hashtag #PeriodFriendlyGhana.
GNA
Edited by George-Ramsey Benamba