Ghanaian girls and women have urged government to factor period poverty in the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.
Ahead of the budget presentation by Ken Ofori Atta, the finance minister which will take place Wednesday, November 15, 2023, the Ghana Civil Society Platform on sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has urged government to scrap taxes on sanitary pads.
At a press conference held by the Platform in Accra on Monday, November 13, 2023, they urged government to take immediate steps to scrap off taxes on sanitary pads and develop initiatives in collaboration with development partners and private entities to subsidize the cost.
They said, “Government must expedite actions to scrap off the current taxes which is import tax of 20% and VAT of 15% on sanitary pads.
Currently, one pack of sanitary pads ranges between GHC 20.00 and GHC 40.00 (depending on the location and the brand). A Ghanaian woman may require more than one pad depending on the flow per period cycle.
“The minimum cost of GHC 20 is higher than the current national minimum wage of GHC 14.88. This action would increase Ghana’s prospects of attaining SDGs 3 which is ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages, Goal 4 which talks about ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities and Goal 5 which is to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls”.
Ms. Angel Cudjoe, a young girl delivered the statement on behalf of the Platform.
Sanitary pads is classified as ‘Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles’ which subject it to numerous taxes.
Under this current tax regime, taxes are imposed on a biology necessity; something women have no control over.
Story by Nana Ama Nyamekye/Ahotoronline
