Naana Jane Slams Dirty Politicking Over Sanitary Pad Initiative Criticism

In an exclusive revelation, former Education Minister Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has expressed deep shock at the malicious backlash she faced over a policy aimed at supporting school girls in marginalized areas with free sanitary pads.

This policy, which was introduced during the tenure of then President John Mahama in 2014, intended to reduce school dropouts among girls in puberty by providing essential menstrual products.

Despite the government’s efforts to secure a loan of $156 million from the World Bank to enhance secondary education infrastructure, including support for girls’ sanitary needs, the initiative faced fierce opposition from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its Youth Organizer, Sammi Awuku. Awuku’s allegations of the policy being part of a demonic ritual and a ploy by the NDC to manipulate the 2016 elections marked a low point in the political discourse.

Speaking at a recent engagement with female journalists in Accra, Prof Opoku-Agyemang highlighted the emotional turmoil caused by baseless accusations and misinformation surrounding the sanitary pad initiative.

She emphasized that the policy was meticulously crafted to address the challenges faced by girls in staying enrolled in school, particularly due to the lack of access to sanitary products. Describing the rationale behind the initiative, she underscored the urgent need to support girls in deprived areas and ensure their continued education.

Despite the unwarranted criticism and propaganda, Prof Opoku-Agyemang reiterated the positive impact such policies have on girls’ education and enrollment numbers in other African countries that have embraced similar initiatives.

Accompanied by prominent personalities including former Minister Akua Sena Dansoa, Nana Oye Bampoe-Addo, Dr. Sharif Khalid, and Mavis Ama Frimpong, Prof Opoku-Agyemang stood firm in her commitment to advocating for gender-sensitive policies that uplift and empower young girls across the nation.