By Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy
Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has spearheaded the distribution of approximately 4,000 sanitary pads to schools across the Upper West Region under the Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, reaffirming government’s steadfast commitment to eradicating period poverty and safeguarding girls’ education.
The transformative programme targets female students from Primary Five through Senior High School, strategically designed to curb absenteeism triggered by menstruation and ensure uninterrupted academic participation.
Addressing stakeholders during the official presentation on Friday, April 24, the Vice President emphasized that a girl’s biological development must be regarded as an asset, not an impediment to her educational journey.
“What we thought was that the girls were missing school, not because they didn’t want to come to school. Not because there was a problem, but their natural bodies were behaving the way they were expected.
“Some of us didn’t think that was a good reason for the girls not to come to school. We thank God for the way he has created our bodies, what we need to do as human beings is to ensure they become assets and not obstacles,” she said.
She further charged beneficiaries to honor the profound investments being made in their future by demonstrating excellence and diligence in their studies.
“I want to encourage the girls, do the best you can. You know you are capable. That is why your parents have spent their time, money, and have placed dreams in you. I know you will ensure that all these are satisfied,” she advised.