By Agnes Ansah, GNA
Accra, March 19, GNA – Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has distributed sanitary pads to four educational and health institutions in the Greater Accra Region to combat period poverty, absenteeism and improve menstrual hygiene.
The institutions are the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf at Adjei-Kojo in the Tema West Municipal Assembly, Pantang Hospital in Ga East, Dzorwulu Special School in Ayawaso West, and Castle Road Special School inside the Accra Psychiatric Hospital in Korle Klottey, and the Pantang Hospital.
The donation of the free sanitary pads on March 18, was in partnership with Access Bank Ghana and Softcare FM Manufacturing Limited, an African hygiene product manufacturer.
It formed part of the Vice President’s commitment to distributing 10,000 boxes of sanitary pads in the Greater Accra Region and a total of 30,000 pads to vulnerable institutions including special and inclusive schools, Islamic basic schools, female correctional facilities, and psychiatric hospitals across the country.
The gesture was also in support of President John Mahama’s agenda to distribute free sanitary pads to about two million girls from primary five through to Senior High School to improve menstrual health and girls’ dignity.
Madam Linda Obenewaa Ocloo, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, who donated the sanitary pads on behalf of the Vice President, said: “The gesture signified government’s commitment to menstrual health.”
She noted that last year, the government distributed over six million pads to girls in basic and secondary schools and has allocated GH¢292.4 million this year to continue with the initiative nationwide.
Receiving 200 boxes of pads on behalf of the Tetteh Ocloo State School of the Deaf, Mr James Enu, Member of Parliament(MP), Tema West, said menstrual health improved girls attendance in school and attention span in the classroom, noting that the gesture was a step in the right direction.
He encouraged the students to look beyond their disabilities, embrace opportunities, and achieve something good for themselves, their families and the country.
Mr John Dumelo, Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, who received 200 boxes of sanitary pads on behalf of the Dzorwulu Special School, said the school was happy with the support by the Vice President.
He advised management of the school to put the wears to good use and promised to continue the good works of the Vice President.
Mr Fredrick Amedzake, Headmaster, Castle Road Special School, receiving 200 boxes of sanitary pads, expressed appreciation to the Vice President indicating that they would help with caring for female students in the school.
The Pantang Hospital received 60 boxes of the pads for the female patients, who made about half of the facility’s 153 in-patients.
Dr Yennusom Maalug, Director, the Director, said the hospital mostly bore the cost of care including the provision of sanitary pads for the female patients.
“So, this donation will go along way to help with their upkeep especially the sanitary aspect,” he said.
Dr Maalug expressed gratitude to the Vice President for the initiative, which he said was in line with SDG Three of ensuring good health and well-being.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe