A joint press conference was held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) to announce the official launch of the Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, set to take place on Thursday, April 24, at the Salvation Army Cluster of Schools in Accra.

The press conference, held at the Ministry of Education’s conference room, was aimed at informing media organisations and the general public about the initiative, which is part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader commitment to promoting gender equality and ensuring menstrual health for schoolgirls across the country.

In her remarks, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection,  Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, highlighted the importance of the initiative in addressing menstrual hygiene challenges faced by adolescent girls in schools. She noted that poor menstrual hygiene often leads to absenteeism, low retention rates, and poor academic performance.

“This intervention is designed to remove one of the silent barriers to girls' education,” Dr. Lartey stated.

“By providing access to free sanitary pads, we are not only supporting girls' health but also empowering them to stay in school and succeed.”

She revealed that the programme is expected to benefit approximately two million girls enrolled in both Junior and Senior High Schools across Ghana.

The Minister also appealed to the media to help raise awareness about the initiative and educate the public on its long-term benefits for girls’ education and national development.

The Free Sanitary Pad Initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the government to eliminate gender-based educational disparities and promote inclusive learning environments.