Free Sanitary Pads and Pad Bank Initiative Reduce Teenage Pregnancy in Bosomtwe – Officials Report
Teenage pregnancy in Ghana continues to pose a major public health and social challenge, particularly in rural districts where access to menstrual hygiene products remains limited.
In the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region, authorities say recent interventions—especially the introduction of free sanitary pad distribution and “Pad Bank” initiatives—are beginning to show positive results in reducing teenage pregnancy rates.
According to data from the Ghana Health Service, the district recorded some of the highest adolescent pregnancy cases in 2024, with several communities including Pipie, Nkowi, Obbo, Abono, Tetrefu, and Sewua identified as hotspot areas linked to school dropout rates among girls.
Speaking during the commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day at Sewua, the Bosomtwe District School Girl Child Coordinator, Rita Laar, said teenage pregnancy figures have declined significantly in 2026 compared to previous years.
She attributed the improvement to the combined impact of government-provided free sanitary pads in schools and local “Pad Bank” initiatives introduced to support vulnerable girls.
She explained that before the intervention, many schoolgirls struggled to afford sanitary pads, leading to difficult coping mechanisms that exposed them to risky situations.
“Some teenage girls were exchanging sexual favours for sanitary pads due to financial hardship, which increased their vulnerability to pregnancy and school dropout,” she said.
To address the challenge, the District Assembly, traditional leaders, and stakeholders—including the chief of Sewua—introduced the Pad Bank initiative, supported by NGOs and philanthropists to provide free sanitary products to needy students.
The initiative, she noted, has helped restore dignity, confidence, and regular school attendance among girls during menstruation, while reducing dependence on unsafe coping methods.
The District Chief Executive for Bosomtwe, Abdellah Hamid, reaffirmed government’s commitment to expanding free sanitary pad distribution in schools to promote menstrual hygiene and protect the welfare of girls.
He added that sustaining such programmes is key to reducing teenage pregnancy and improving educational outcomes in the district.
Queen Mother of Sewua, Nana Akosua Abrafi Afisa, also urged teenage girls to prioritise education and avoid early sexual activity, stressing that discipline and focus on academics would secure a better future.
The celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, observed earlier in the district ahead of the global date, was used to educate students on menstrual hygiene, self-confidence, and reproductive health, while reinforcing efforts to combat teenage pregnancy.
Authorities say ongoing community outreach programmes, school education campaigns, and youth empowerment initiatives remain central to sustaining the progress made so far.
