By Joyce Kantam Kolamong
The assembly hall of Walewale Senior High and Technical School was filled with excitement as about 1,000 reusable sanitary pads were distributed to female students by Plan International Ghana, a humanitarian and development organisation. The gesture is expected to help students feel more comfortable and confident during their periods, knowing they have a reliable and sustainable option.
The event marked the commemoration of Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day at the school.
Addressing the gathering, the Country Director of Plan International Ghana, Constant Tchona, encouraged girls and women not to feel ashamed of their periods, describing menstruation as a source of power.
Available data show that most schools in Ghana lack basic menstrual hygiene facilities — including changing spaces, running water, disposal systems, and menstrual products. For many young girls, menstruation remains a significant barrier, often forcing them into seclusion, restricting their mobility, or keeping them out of school. Cultural norms and inadequate WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure continue to drive school dropouts among girls.
Many have hailed President John Dramani Mahama for launching the Free Sanitary Pad Initiative. As nationwide pad distribution begins, Plan International Ghana is urging the government to ensure effective implementation—especially in hard-to-reach rural areas—and to invest sustainably in menstrual health education and school sanitation. The organization is also calling for increased local production of sanitary pads.
Mr. Tchona noted that the word “period” has been whispered in shame for far too long, burdened with stigma and silence. “Today, that silence is broken.”
He said Plan International Ghana has championed the cause of menstrual health through initiatives such as SHE Leads, Youth Empowered to Thrive, Be Smart, Learn and Stay Protected, and the Integrated Package for Sustainable Community Development (IPADEV).
Mr. Tchona emphasised that a Period Friendly Ghana is not just a slogan but a vision adding that her outfit is committed to promoting menstrual equity.
“Plan International Ghana remains committed to collaborating with the government and communities to advance menstrual equity and gender equality. We cannot achieve equality if periods are treated as problems. We cannot build a thriving Ghana if menstruation pushes girls to the margins. When we support menstrual health: We support Dignity, We support Education, We support the economy and We support the future. To our girls and women, your period is your power, not your shame. To men and boys, Be allies. Be informed. Be compassionate. Be proud. Be thankful. That is how you were made. That is how you were born. No period, no birth! No period, no child! No period, no son! No period, no boys! And most importantly no period, no men.”
He called on leaders and policymakers to make menstrual equity a priority in health, education, and national development.
The North East Regional Minister, Ibrahim Tia, commended Plan International Ghana for the impactful work done under the IPADEV project and appealed for the extension of interventions to the remaining five districts in the region. He also highlighted the pressing issue of teenage pregnancy in the region, attributed to socio-economic challenges, cultural norms, and limited access to reproductive health education.
“It is time we break the silence, challenge harmful norms, and empower our young girls with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their health and future. Let me remind all parents and guardians of their critical role in guiding and protecting their children. We must remain vigilant and involved in the lives of our young people to steer them away from harmful behaviours. As we commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day, let us recommit ourselves to creating a region where every girl can thrive in dignity and safety and ensure no girl is left behind in the North East Region.”
Headmaster of Walewale Senior High and Technical School, Rev. Ibrahim Sebiyam, appealed to Plan International Ghana to provide a female-friendly KVIP toilet facility, changing rooms, and potable water for the school. He said the girls currently face severe sanitation challenges due to broken, inadequate, or abandoned toilet facilities.
The Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day event was held under the theme: “Period-Friendly Ghana.”
