The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has clashed with Old Tafo MP Vincent Ekow Assafuah over the cost of sanitary pads under the government’s Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Programme.
Assafuah had accused the government of overspending, citing budget figures that suggested each pack costs around GH¢45, far above the market price of GH¢15-25.
However, Iddrisu dismissed Assafuah’s claims, stating that the government is actually procuring over 12 million sanitary pads, not 6.6 million as claimed. He accused Assafuah of doing “chop bar arithmetics” and presenting false information.
The government allocated GH¢292 million for the programme, aiming to support over 2 million schoolgirls in basic and senior high schools. The initiative aims to improve menstrual hygiene, reduce absenteeism and promote girls’ education.
