By Thomas-Moore ADINGO
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has welcomed government’s decision to procure sanitary pads from local manufacturers under its free sanitary pads initiative for girls in public basic and senior high schools.
In the 2025 budget, government announced plans to distribute sanitary pads to teenage schoolgirls with an allocation of GH¢292.4million. The social intervention aims to end period poverty and promote menstrual hygiene among schoolgirls.
Following the budget presentation and subsequent request for tenders, AGI expressed concern over the apparent lack of clarity regarding the procurement process, as outlined by the finance minister during his presentation of the 2025 budget.
However, at a meeting in Accra with the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, the minister assured AGI and local producers that government is fully committed to purchasing the products from domestic manufacturers.
“Even though it was not stated in the budget that sanitary pads will be procured from local producers, I had a meeting with local sanitary pad manufacturers a few days ago and they were informed to pick up the bid forms because all the free sanitary pads will be sourced locally,” she said.
She further emphasised: “Government is committed to domesticating the economy and is using its purchasing power to promote made-in-Ghana goods. So, even before we amend the Public Procurement Law to give made-in-Ghana goods priority, we are already implementing this by ensuring that the state buys local products”.
The minister added that the goal is to help increase the capacity of local producers, enabling them to expand operations, explore export opportunities – particularly in the sub-region – and ultimately create more jobs.
The minister however urged local producers to maintain high standards in order to ensure that their products are competitive on the world market.
Local production capacity
Currently, there are three sanitary pad manufacturers in the country with a combined installed capacity of 700 million pieces per year, against an annual demand of 400 million pieces.
However, all three producers are operating below capacity due to the influx of substandard sanitary pads on the market.
“We are more than capable of supplying the numbers that government needs,” said
More importantly, he noted: “We are very confident that the commitment to sourcing locally will propel local producers to enjoy economies of scale, expand their operations and potentially take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area”.
He asserted that this commitment, although yet to fully materialise, is critical to achieving government’s 24-hour economy agenda.
“This decision to source locally is the right approach and we are fully committed to working with government to ensure that we retain real value within the economy – especially for products we have the capacity to produce locally. The free sanitary pads initiative is a good start,” he lauded.
He concluded that the commitment to local procurement bodes well for both the business community and state, as it will drive higher production, create employment and generate more revenue to support national development.
