Gov’t considers sanitary pad production in prisons to boost local production

The government is reviewing a proposal to establish a sanitary pad manufacturing facility within the country’s prison system, as part of efforts to support the Free Sanitary Pad policy.

In a Facebook post, the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, disclosed that President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive mandating that all sanitary pads distributed under the policy must be sourced locally, with no imports allowed.

“President directs that ALL sanitary pads under the Free Sanitary Pad policy be procured locally. No import whatsoever allowed. Proposal under review to set up sanitary pad manufacturing firm in Prisons,” Mr. Kwakye Ofosu said.

If approved, the proposed initiative will see a sanitary pad manufacturing firm established within the Ghana Prisons Service, potentially offering a dual benefit—enhancing national production capacity and providing vocational training and employment opportunities for inmates.

The move is expected to reduce reliance on imported sanitary products, support local industrialisation, and contribute to the rehabilitation and skills development of prison inmates.

The Free Sanitary Pad policy is a government intervention aimed at improving menstrual hygiene management among schoolgirls, reducing school absenteeism, and promoting gender equity in education.