Some of them are brilliant but needy girls who have to skip school for days because they cannot afford sanitary pads.
Their stories of using old newspapers, rags and notebooks during their period touched the hearts of some listeners of LUV FM in Kumasi.
This was after a passionate call by the host and production team of LUV FM’s flagship programme, “LUV-In-the-Morning”.
Members of the team have received and distributed 960 pieces of sanitary pads valued at GHȼ19,200 to girls in six schools in the Ashanti region.
The price of the essential female product has risen sharply from four cedis to between GHȼ10 and GHȼ25 as the current economic crisis continues to affect prices of goods including sanitary pads.
Basic school girls are bearing the brunt of this, with many of them resorting to the use of rags, old newspapers and notebooks at that time of the month.
Luv FM’s flagship programme, Luv In the Morning thus responded to calls from teachers and students.
Host, David Akuetteh and the production team received 40 cartons from donors and started distribution to girls in the six selected schools.
Some students at Okaikrom in the Ashanti Region said they have to do menial jobs to afford the pads.
When they’re unable to afford the pads, they rely on “old newspapers”.
Esther Anokye, a J.H.S student said,” I have to always hawk to be able to afford sanitary pads every month”.
Another student said ”Sometimes I skip school because I’m unable to afford the pad, so I resort to old newspapers and rags”.
Rosemary Ntiamoah Ofosu, a teacher at the Kokoben M/A basic school who supports girls during their monthly periods revealed how ‘menstrual poverty’ is affecting students academically.
“The brilliant amongst them miss school during menstruation. Sometimes I have to purchase the pad for them, so I called during the LUV-IN-THE-Morning show on LUV FM to appeal for some pads for the students, luckily they’re here to support us with sanitary pads,” she noted.
Health experts condemn the use of old newspapers during menstruation as sanitary pads.
Wendy Boatemaa Ofori, a nurse noted this could lead to severe health implications.
“Using papers and rags in place of sanitary pads creates a safe haven for bacteria. It could even lead to infertility,” she said.
The Luv in the Morning team led by David Akuettey shared their experiences with Luv News..
“I appealed to listeners on-air during the Luv in the Morning show to help provide sanitary pads for students after listening to some of the challenges they face. Fortunately, a lot of people donated boxes of pad to support the students. I feel happy and fulfilled for donating the pads to the students,” he said.
