Akontombra: Mr Joseph Appiah, the Sefwi-Akontombra District Chief Executive (DCE) in the Western North Region, in collaboration with the Girl Child Education Unit, has distributed over 640 sanitary pads to adolescent female students within the Akontombra zone. The beneficiary schools within the zone include Bawakrom, Mesiba, Manukrom, Bronikrom, Aburonehia, Pentecost JHS, and Anglican JHS.
According to Ghana News Agency, the DCE stated that the distribution of the sanitary pads was in fulfilment of President John Dramani Mahama's promise to support all school-going young girls in the country to maintain cleanliness and health during their menstrual periods. Mr Appiah emphasized the importance of personal hygiene during menstruation and encouraged the students to communicate their needs confidently to their parents.
Mrs Emilia Ford Journey, the Akontombra District Coordinator for Girl Child Education, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the government's efforts to combat period poverty and ensure menstrual hygiene for the girls. She noted that the Free Sanitary Pads programme is a pioneering effort aimed at improving menstrual hygiene and empowering teenage girls to lead healthier lives.
Mrs Ford expressed optimism about future engagements and actions that would ensure the initiative becomes a lasting intervention, rather than a short-term measure.