The Ghanaian government, under the leadership of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced a significant budgetary allocation of GH¢292.4 million dedicated to providing free sanitary pads to female students enrolled in both primary and secondary schools across the nation. This initiative represents a renewed commitment to a program initially launched during John Mahama’s first term in 2014, which aimed to support adolescent girls through their early stages of puberty by providing essential menstrual hygiene products. The underlying rationale is that access to such products can positively influence girls’ education by reducing absenteeism and increasing their likelihood of remaining in school, thereby empowering them to pursue their academic aspirations without hindrance.
The decision to reinstate and expand the free sanitary pad distribution program is grounded in empirical evidence. The Gender Ministry has highlighted research conducted in 2008/2009 by a team of researchers supported by the University of Oxford’s Green Templeton College and the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. This study specifically examined the impact of providing free disposable sanitary pads and menstrual health education within the Ghanaian context. The findings indicated a clear correlation between access to these resources and improved school attendance among girls, further suggesting a potential positive impact on school retention rates. By addressing the practical challenges posed by menstruation, the government seeks to create a more equitable and supportive educational environment for female students.
This renewed commitment to providing free sanitary pads underlines the government’s recognition of the significant barriers that menstruation can pose to girls’ education, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Cultural taboos, limited access to affordable hygiene products, and inadequate sanitation facilities can all contribute to absenteeism, discomfort, and feelings of shame, hindering girls’ ability to fully participate in their education. By providing free sanitary pads, the government aims to alleviate these challenges and ensure that menstruation does not become a barrier to girls’ academic progress and overall well-being. The program is expected to have a positive impact not only on individual girls but also on the broader educational landscape and the future prospects of Ghanaian women.
Furthermore, the government has demonstrated its commitment to accessible education by allocating GH¢499.8 million to fund the No-Fee-Stress policy. This ambitious initiative targets first-year students in public tertiary institutions across the country, including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, nursing training colleges, and other public tertiary institutions. By waiving tuition fees for this cohort, the government aims to reduce the financial burden on students and their families, thus promoting greater access to higher education regardless of socioeconomic background. This policy directly addresses the financial barriers that can prevent students from pursuing higher education, opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible.
The No-Fee-Stress policy represents a significant step towards ensuring equitable access to higher education and fostering a more inclusive tertiary education system in Ghana. By removing the financial hurdle of tuition fees for first-year students, the government aims to empower more young people to pursue their academic aspirations, regardless of their financial circumstances. This initiative is expected to have a profound impact on increasing enrolment rates in higher education, particularly among students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and contribute to a more skilled and educated workforce in the future. The policy is particularly relevant in the current economic climate, where the cost of education has become a significant concern for many families.
As part of John Dramani Mahama’s flagship campaign promises ahead of the 2024 general elections, the No-Fee-Stress policy holds significant political weight and reflects the government’s commitment to investing in human capital development. By removing financial barriers to education at both the primary/secondary and tertiary levels, the government is sending a strong message about the importance of education in national development. Furthermore, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu has confirmed that students who had already paid their tuition fees for the 2024/2025 academic year will be refunded, ensuring fair and equitable implementation of the policy. These combined initiatives represent a substantial investment in education and reflect the government’s commitment to creating a more equitable and accessible educational landscape for all Ghanaian students.
