Ghana Bank Tackles Period Poverty with 10,000 Sanitary Towels

When some students at Bolgatanga Senior High School couldn't afford sanitary pads, they turned to washing and reusing cloth rags each month. That reality is changing thanks to Development Bank Ghana's new mission to end period poverty for teenage girls across the country's northern regions.

On May 24, DBG delivered 100 boxes of sanitary towels to Bolgatanga Senior High School as part of a larger campaign distributing 10,000 products to students. The initiative combines practical donations with educational sessions where girls can openly discuss menstruation without stigma or shame.

Barbara Anawuno Wrikette, DBG's Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, emphasized that menstruation should never stop girls from reaching their dreams. The program creates safe spaces for students to ask questions and share their experiences about a natural phase of life that's often treated as taboo.

Senior Housemistress Ernestina Gbeng confirmed the urgent need, revealing that financial barriers forced many students to rely on makeshift solutions. While some organizations like CAMFED have helped selected students over the years, the gap remained too wide for too many girls.

Student Patience Kundung spoke candidly about the discomfort and embarrassment she and her classmates faced when using cloth during their periods. The constant cycle of washing, drying, and reusing fabric affected their ability to focus on studies and participate fully in school life.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond addressing immediate needs, this campaign tackles a barrier that ripples through entire communities. When girls miss school days or drop out due to period poverty, they lose educational opportunities that could lift families out of hardship for generations.

DBG plans to expand the program to Tamale and the Ashanti Region, bringing both products and education to thousands more students. The bank's broader mission includes financing small and medium enterprises to create jobs and economic independence for Ghana.

The intervention recognizes what research has proven: access to menstrual products directly impacts school attendance, academic performance, and girls' self-esteem. Breaking the silence around menstruation helps dismantle centuries of unnecessary shame while practical support ensures no student has to choose between dignity and education.

Now thousands of Ghanaian students can focus on their studies instead of worrying about their next period.