The Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, has announced plans to establish a special task force to oversee the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of sanitary pads in schools across the country.
The initiative, he said, will be carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
In a statement published on the Ministry’s Facebook page, it explained that the task force will be mandated to develop and implement sustainable strategies that address menstrual hygiene challenges in schools while ensuring eco-friendly disposal practices.
“The task force will develop sustainable strategies to tackle menstrual hygiene issues in schools while promoting environmental responsibility. The meeting also explored new initiatives aimed at improving Health and Well-being Education, with a focus on empowering young learners with knowledge on hygiene, reproductive health, and environmental care.” The statement read.
The Education minisrr emphasized that the move is part of a broader effort to promote both environmental responsibility and health awareness among school-aged girls.
The Minister made the disclosure during a meeting with the Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Wilfred Ochan. The meeting focused on deepening collaboration on health and well-being education in Ghanaian schools.
Discussions also covered new initiatives aimed at empowering young learners with comprehensive knowledge on hygiene, reproductive health, and environmental care.
Hon. Iddrisu further expressed his ministry’s willingness to collaborate with the UNFPA on piloting digital learning programs in selected schools across the country.
According to him, integrating digital tools into classroom instruction is a crucial step toward equipping Ghanaian students with 21st-century skills while advancing health literacy.
Dr. Ochan welcomed the proposals and reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote adolescent health, education, and gender equity. Both parties agreed to work closely in rolling out health and well-being education interventions in schools.
The Minister’s remarks highlight the government’s continued focus on creating inclusive and supportive learning environments that prioritize the holistic development of learners, especially girls.