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Francis Sosu pushes for the removal of VAT on imported Pads, Extension of Maternity Leave and introduction of Paternity Leave
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Madina Francis-Xavier Kojo Sosu has held a one-day stakeholders briefing on the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on imported pads bills, extension of maternity leave to six months and introduction of paternity leave to support the newborn baby and the breastfeeding mother.
According to Mr. Sosu, the imposition of customs duty and import VAT on menstrual hygiene and other items poses a major challenge to women and girls, particularly those living in rural areas and deprived communities who need them to absorb or collect menstrual blood.
“Menstruation is a natural physiological phenomenon that occurs in adolescent girls and pre-menopausal women which urgently requires the use of hygienic sanitary napkins or tampons during that time of the month,” he stated.
At the stakeholders’ briefing that was held at Parliament yesterday which brought together representatives from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Amnesty International (AI), Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Labour Commission (NLC), Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Attorney General’s Office and Head of Civil Service, the MP for Madina argued that menstruation demands the accessibility to good sanitary napkins at affordable prices by both women and girls of menstruation age and requires the practice of good personal hygiene.
He was of the view that just like it is easy to access toilet rolls at various public washrooms the time has come for stakeholders to fight for free pads for all.
Again, he insisted that the advocacy for free pads for all must start from somewhere hence the initiative for the Private Members Bill to amend sections of the Customs Bill 2023 and the Labour Bill 2024.
He indicated that when passed into law, the Bill will reduce the 20 percent customs duty as well as the 15 percent import VAT on imported sanitary towels (pads) and tampons including similar articles, napkins and liners for babies, incontinence pads for adults use and related items to zero percent customs duty and zero percent import VAT respectively.
On the issue of an extension for Maternity Leave and introduction of Paternity Leave, Professor Abigail Opoku Mensah, Director of Research & Consultancy Center noted that the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a newborn’s life to ensure health outcomes for infants, however many mothers struggle to adhere to this recommendation due to short maternity leave duration.
“Currently the existing maternity leave of 12 weeks in Ghana is insufficient to allow for adequate recovery and bonding with newborn infants as recommended by WHO,” she added.
The many CSOs, traditional leaders, and individuals who attended the stakeholders briefing are all advocating the extension of maternity leave from the current three months to six months when the mother is still breastfeeding the baby.
For the official introduction of Paternity, the stakeholders were of the view that there is a cultural shift where many men are seen lately actively playing important roles in the life of their newborns and assisting their wives therefore amending the existing law to allow men to go on leave for two weeks or a month would be beneficial to the family.
Challenges of the private sector allowing their employees to go on leave for six months, whether a man married to two or more women is entitled to go on leave continuously should the wives give birth the same year and other challenges associated with the proposed Bill, Francis Sosu was advised to work with the drafters of the Bill to tighten it to address all the challenges highlighted during the stakeholders briefing.
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
