Editorial
Elimination of tax on sanitary pads laudable
It is wonderful news and incredibly refreshing that the government is eliminating the tax on sanitary pads.
This will make the product more affordable for young adolescent girls and women, which will ultimately reduce menstruation poverty.
As part of the 2024 Budget Statement that was delivered in Parliament on Wednesday, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta declared that sanitary pads will no longer be subject to tax.
“Mr. Speaker, “The implementation of the following reliefs has been prioritised, including Zero rate VAT on locally produced sanitary pads,” the Finance Minister announced.
According to him, “This decision to scrap taxes on sanitary pads reflects our commitment to addressing women’s health needs and promoting gender equality.”
The action is undoubtedly important in the fight for gender equality as it would better manage menstrual hygiene, meet the specific healthcare needs of women, and lessen the financial burden on women and girls,
Additionally, the decision to remove the tax on locally produced sanitary pads would undoubtedly spur producers to increase output, which will benefit the economy of the nation.
Women’s rights groups, health campaigners, and manufacturers who have long pushed for the exemption of sanitary pads from taxes applauded the news.
The Spectator also joined the advocacy demanding the government to waive the tax on sanitary pads and to help women and adolescent girls by lowering the cost and increasing the accessibility of sanitary pads.
We hope that the removal of tax on sanitary pads will open the door for other policies that put women’s health and wellbeing first.
The Spectator continues to urge individuals, women activists, institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and other well-meaning Ghanaians to keep providing menstrual hygiene products to women and teenage girls across the country in order to improve their lives.
The Spectator calls on the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to ensure that producers of sanitary pads reduce the price of their goods as soon as the policy goes into effect in order to support the overall growth and development of the nation’s economy.
The government must also sustain the provision of water, sanitary facilities, and hygienic amenities (WASH) in order to retain girls in school.
Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
