Member of Parliament (MP) for Takoradi, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, says the government should consider establishing sanitary pad production factories across the country to boost employment and support Ghana’s developing manufacturing sector.
According to him, the amount allocated for sanitary pads in the 2026 national budget is substantial, and part of it could have been channelled into setting up factories that would create sustainable jobs for young people.
The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced GH¢292 million in the 2026 budget for the provision of free sanitary pads to schoolgirls nationwide.
Speaking in Parliament on December 1, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah said there have been many explanations for the 24-hour economy initiative, but what the youth want is job opportunities.
“The youth in this country are looking for jobs that is why they bought into this project,” he said.
He went on to say that the amount allocated for the provision of free sanitary pads for Ghanaian schoolgirls in the budget could have been used better.
“I do believe that spending 292 million on just sanitary pads alone is not good enough.”
He argued that a portion of the allocation could support the establishment of small-scale sanitary pad factories in all constituencies.
“We should take part of that money to set up factories in every constituency of this country.”
“At least if we’re even spending 200,000 Ghana cedis to set up a sanitary pads factory.”
The MP argued that this approach would create employment and expand local production.
“You can provide sanitary pad factories and employ over 100 people per factory in all the constituencies,” he said.
“That can be said to be agenda 276 instead of 24 hour economy so that the youth of this country can be employed and they can produce this sanitary pads locally and supply the schools,” he said.
