Minister for Trade and Agro Business, Elizabeth Ofosu-Agyare, has highlighted the economic benefits of the government’s decision to distribute free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.

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As part of the 2025 budget presented in Parliament on Tuesday, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced that GH¢292.4 million has been allocated to support this initiative.

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Reacting to this development in an interview with The Independent Ghana, Minister Ofosu-Agyare described the budget as inclusive, emphasizing that the policy goes beyond addressing menstrual health challenges.

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"This is a good budget," she said. "It is good in the sense that there is something in it for everybody. And let me tell you one thing—free pads are not just for the benefit of the girl child. No. This policy is also beneficial to the industry because His Excellency John Dramani Mahama has made it clear that the government will use its purchasing power to support locally made products. That means nearly GH¢300 million will remain in the economy to benefit the private sector since we will source all the pads from Ghana."

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She further explained that producing sanitary pads locally will boost job creation and stabilize the cedi by reducing the need to import such products.

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"We are going to create more jobs. It means we will stabilize our cedi because we won’t have to exchange money to import pads. And when local manufacturers profit, they will expand and even export more," she stated.

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The minister also pointed out that the budget includes measures to enhance collaboration between the government and private businesses.

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"One of the challenges industries have raised is access to the Finance Ministry and GRA," she noted. "Now, the minister has stated that there will be quarterly meetings between the GRA, the Finance Ministry, and the private sector. Guess what? I will always be there to champion the cause of the private sector."

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She assured that these engagements would foster a business-friendly environment where tax-related concerns are addressed promptly.

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"This will give a lot of confidence to businesses operating in Ghana. They will have direct access to the Ministry of Finance and GRA so that tax issues affecting their sectors can be resolved quickly," she added.

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The government’s commitment to industrial growth, she said, extends beyond sanitary pad production. "We have set the tone well, and the resetting agenda has begun. Ghana is ready for business," she concluded.

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The free sanitary pad initiative comes amid longstanding calls for tax relief on menstrual hygiene products. In September 2023, a private member’s bill was submitted to Parliament seeking an amendment to the VAT (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Act 1082), to remove the 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary pads and tampons.

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