Gov’t allocates GH¢292.4 million for sanitary pad distribution to female students in primary, secondary schools

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that government has allocated an amount of GH¢292.4 million for the distribution of sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools in the country.

This is in fulfilment of a campaign promise made to Ghanaians in the run up to the 2024 general election.

Among other interventions to cushion students, the government has indicated that it will implement the No-Academic-Fee policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions under the ‘No-Fees-Stress’ initiative.

In addition, Persons with Disability (PWDs) will enjoy free Tertiary Education under the new National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.

“…Strengthen social protection through the implementation of new social intervention programmes including the No-Academic-Fee policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions under the ‘No-Fees-Stress’ initiative, the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability (PWDs), Free Primary Healthcare, the Ghana Medical Care Trust (MahamaCares), and the Free Sanitary Pads for schoolgirls.

“Mr. Speaker, we have allocated GH¢292.4 million to commence the distribution of free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools,” Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson told Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, when he delivered the 2025 Budget Statement to the House.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has assured that there will be dedicated funding to improve the Free SHS programme introduced by the past New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.