By David Amoateng
In a philanthropic move aimed at supporting menstrual hygiene, Mrs Frema Opare Addo, Chief of Staff of the Republic of Ghana,has donated 2,400 pieces of sanitary pads to Basic and Junior High schools girls within the Bantama circuit of the Kumasi Metropolis.
The cartons of sanitary pads, were earmarked specifically for girls to enhance their hygiene during menstruation.
Mrs. Opare Addo generously donated these sanitary pads to schoolgirls in need. A total of 2,400 pads were distributed across various basic schools, notably State Girls M/A JHS and Bantama Presby JHS, among others.
This charitable act took place during an event organized by the Live the Dream Foundation, an NGO, in commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The theme, “Together for a Period-friendly World,” underscored the importance of collective efforts in supporting menstrual health.
Representing Mrs. Frema Opare Addo, the Chief of Staff, Nana Afia Kyeiwaa, the Queen mother of traders at Race Course Market, expressed the urgency of prioritizing women’s needs, particularly adolescent girls, in matters of menstrual hygiene. She emphasized the need for education and empowerment to enable girls to manage their periods confidently while pursuing their education.
Nana Afia Kyeiwaa stressed the natural occurrence of menstruation and denounced the stigma attached to it, urging parents and guardians to educate their daughters on menstrual hygiene and cleanliness. She advised girls to maintain regular bathing routines, manage body hair, and ensure proper pad placement to avoid discomfort or embarrassment.
Furthermore, she cautioned against engaging in risky behaviors that could lead to teenage pregnancy, urging parents to refrain from pressuring their children into premature sexual relationships.
Miss Abigail Sarfo, Executive Director of the Live the Dream Foundation and a registered midwife at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, reiterated the importance of affordable sanitary pads for all girls, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status. She called for collective action from government, institutions, and individuals to ensure widespread access to menstrual hygiene products.
Miss Sarfo urged parents and teachers to initiate open conversations about menstruation with young girls, empowering them to lead responsible lives. She appealed for support from benevolent organizations to make sanitary pads freely available to girls in Kumasi and beyond, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting menstrual health.
