GRA Ladies Club provides free sanitary pads for basic school girls

The Ladies Club of Koforidua Taxpayer Service Centre (TSC) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has provided free sanitary pads to teenage girls in three deprived basic schools in the Eastern Region to improve their menstrual hygiene, especially when in school.

The beneficiary schools are the Adweso Mile 50 M/A Basic School in the New Juaben South Municipality, Old Asuoya M/A Junior High School (JHS) and Nyame Bekyere M/A Basic School, both in the Akuapem North Municipality.

The sanitary pads which cost GH¢ 8,225 were purchased with contributions from members of the club at Suhum, Nsawam and Akropong sub-offices. 

Menstrual flow

Distributing the sanitary pads to the beneficiary schools, the president of the club, Gifty Owusu-Boakye, said the gesture was to help the girls manage their menstrual flow healthily and confidently without negatively affecting their studies.

She said the club decided to give the girls the sanitary pads because most of their parents could not provide them with the pads as such they were compelled to rely on men for the supply of the pads which put them at risk of getting pregnant.

Mrs Owusu-Boakye also stated that the sanitary pads would keep the girls neat during their menstrual flow to prevent them from contracting diseases such as syphilis and HIV and AIDS.

Poor homes

The Headteacher of Adweso Mile 50 M/A Basic School, George Awuku, who was highly elated about the gesture admitted that the girls were from poor homes whose parents could not afford sanitary pads.

He indicated that the sanitary pads would prevent bad odour and make the girls neat while in school.

Mr Awuku thanked the club for providing the girls with sanitary pads and added that it would ensure their regular attendance in school while menstruating.

At the Old Asuoya M/A Junior High School, the headteacher, Isaac Adjei said before he took over the administration of the school, there were rampant reports of teenage pregnancy which had now been drastically reduced.

For her part, the Headteacher of the Nyame Bekyere M/A Basic School, Martha Eghan, said at times the teachers had to purchase sanitary pads for the girls because they normally used toilet roll when menstruating which was not the best and commended the club for providing the pads for the girls.

Writer's email: haruna.wunpini@graphic.com.gh