Health Ministry Leads Drive To Strengthen Girls’ Hygiene And Well-Being

The Ministry of Health (MoH), in partnership with the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), has commissioned three mechanised boreholes and distributed 3,000 hygiene kits under the Girls’ Hygiene Empowerment Programme.

The initiative was officially launched at Teacher MantePresby Primary School in the Eastern Region, with boreholes also constructed and hygiene kits set to be distributed to Bibiani Newtown School in the Western North Region and Zogbeli Primary School in the Northern Region, to improve water, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene management for adolescent girls.

Speaking on behalf of the Deputy Minister for Health, Hon. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Dr. Ignatius Awinibunounderscored that, access to clean water, safe sanitation, and menstrual hygiene management is a fundamental right and a critical factor for girls’ education and well-being.

He said boreholes will provide reliable potable water. At the same time, the hygiene kits, which include sanitary pads, soaps, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, will enable girls to maintain their hygiene and manage their menstrual health with dignity, thereby reducing absenteeism and promoting gender equity.

The Deputy Minister commended WAHO for its generous funding and praised GES, civil society, and community leaders for their collaboration.

Emphasising the government’s commitment, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah encouraged adolescent girls not to let anything hinder their education and dreams, assuring them of continuous support to build a healthier, more inclusive future.

The Regional Director of Health, Dr. Med Moses BerimaDjimatey, noted that menstrual hygiene is one of the earliest challenges young women face, and how well they manage it depends on the support they receive from families, schools, and communities.

He stressed the need for three essentials in schools: female-friendly sanitation facilities, accurate health information, and access to affordable hygiene products, saying these must become the standard rather than the exception if girls are to grow in confidence, stay in school, and safeguard their health.

Mrs. Ivy Asantewaa Owusu, the Regional Director of Education, in a speech read on her behalf, expressed gratitude to WAHO, the Ministry of Health, and partners for investing in adolescent girls’ well-being through boreholes and hygiene kits.

She urged communities and schools to take collective responsibility in maintaining these resources, emphasising that water and hygiene are not only critical to health but also the foundation of education and national development.