It’s good news for Ghana’s sanitary pad manufacturing industry as President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Minister for Trade, Industry & Agribusiness to ensure that all pads for the Free Sanitary Pads Policy should be purchased locally.
The Free Sanitary Pads Policy was introduced in the 2025 maiden Budget Statement of the government as part of the social intervention programs to help girl-children have uninterrupted education which emanates from the lack of proper sanitary towels.
The Trades Minister, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare reveals this directive from the president is a deliberate policy to significantly enhance the production capacity of the manufacturers, create jobs, and drive economic growth for the industry.
Above all, the minister further disclosed it is also a way to drive the flagship 24-hour economy of the government.
Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare who is also a member of Parliament for Techiman North, also indicated that that she has engaged all sanitary pad manufacturers in Ghana and personally visited one of the largest production facilities. According to her, the factory she toured has an installed capacity capable of supplying the entire country’s needs.
This, she says reinforces the feasibility of sourcing all pads locally.
“On Mahama’s policy to share free pads, I have met all manufacturers of pads in Ghana. But I have visited one of them and met the rest. The policy of Mr. Mahama, if implemented these are the industries going to produce more. They are going to do more shifts. Where I went is very big. I was told the installed capacity can even take care of the entire country’s needs,” she disclosed.
She continued, “Mr. Mahama says the pads for the Free Pads policy will be bought locally from the country’s local producers. It is a way that the government has used its purchasing power to enhance the 24-hour economy. Hitherto he could have imported from outside the country but we are purchasing from Ghana so that industries in the country will be operational and run the 24-hour economy.”
This announcement comes after industry players, policy analysts, and economists questioned how the pads will be sourced after it was announced in the budget They proposed that procuring the pads locally will increase production, operate additional shifts, and create more employment opportunities within the sector.
If properly implemented, the policy will not only boost the industry but a game-changer that will improve easy access to menstrual hygiene products to address menstrual poverty and ensure menstrual health is not a barrier to education.
Meanwhile, the government has allocated GH¢292.4 million for free sanitary pads policy in the budget statement.
