Editorial
Let’s supply sanitary pads to keep girls in school
It is crucial to practise proper menstrual hygiene since it makes girls feel at ease at school and helps to prevent infection and odour.
Unfortunately, because of poverty, many girls, especially those in rural communities, cannot afford to use sanitary pads, and as a result, they skip school during their periods, which eventually has an impact on their performance.
According to a report, some females even use unwanted materials at this time, endangering their health.
There is still more that can be done to support many girls, despite numerous interventions by civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), philanthropists, churches, and other advocacy groups in the form of free sanitary pads donated to schools.
Recently, there have been requests for the government to reduce sanitary pad tariffs, but some have contended that doing so will affect the operations of local sanitary pad producers.
Local firms should be encouraged to acquire the prerequisites to make sanitary pads locally rather than relying on imports. This will increase local businesses’ output, produce jobs for young people, and bring in money for the government.
The Spectator applauds individuals who have been providing sanitary pads to schools and educating young girls about menstrual hygiene, especially in the weeks leading up to Menstrual Hygiene Day observed on May 28 each year to ensure that girls are fully equipped to manage their menstruation.
The Spectator is making a plea to other organisations to prioritise providing sanitary pads to schools in order to help young girls, particularly those living in rural communities, continue their education and fully engage in other social activities.
We also implore local manufacturers and importers of sanitary products to make it a mission to regularly contribute a portion of their goods to schools for use by girls as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES).
We hope that the donation would be made frequently not just once, to help girls in both urban and rural locations.
To assist the girls change regularly when menstruating, it is also vital to provide clean washrooms and prioritise the supply of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities (WASH) in schools.
The Spectator hopes that these initiatives would encourage girls to stay in school, concentrate on their education, and improve their performance in order to prepare for a better future, thereby closing the gender gap that gender experts have been urging for.
Dear Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the deplorable state of the road from McCarthy Hill Junction to Mallam Junction, where the deteriorating road surface is contributing to heavy traffic congestion and making commuting increasingly difficult for motorists.
The affected stretch is an important section of the Accra–Kasoa Highway, used daily by thousands of commuters, commercial drivers, private motorists and other road users travelling between Kasoa and Accra. However, the poor condition of portions of the road forces drivers to reduce their speed significantly, creating long queues, particularly during peak hours.
The situation is frustrating for commuters who already spend considerable time travelling between their homes and workplaces. Commercial drivers also lose valuable working hours, while passengers experience unnecessary delays that affect their daily schedules.
What should ordinarily be a relatively smooth journey often becomes a prolonged struggle as vehicles approach damaged sections of the road. The resulting slow movement disrupts traffic flow and contributes to congestion along an already busy corridor.
The situation also raises concerns about road safety. Drivers attempting to avoid potholes and other damaged portions may make sudden manoeuvres, potentially increasing the risk of collisions. Continued use of the affected sections could also lead to damage to vehicle tyres, suspension systems and other components, imposing additional costs on motorists.
While traffic congestion along the Accra–Kasoa corridor may have several causes, the condition of the road between McCarthy Hill Junction and Mallam Junction is an issue that requires urgent attention.
I therefore appeal to the Department of Urban Roads, the Ministry of Roads and Highways and other relevant authorities to inspect the affected stretch and undertake the necessary repairs without further delay.
Improving the road surface would help vehicles move more smoothly, reduce avoidable congestion and improve the safety and convenience of commuters.
The authorities must act promptly to prevent the situation from worsening and provide relief to the thousands of road users who depend on this route every day.
Yours faithfully,
Concerned Citizen
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A critical viewpoint on the function of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in guaranteeing child safety and upholding discipline in Ghanaian schools is highlighted in the statement made by Dr. Freda Prempeh, the former Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
According to the supporters of this viewpoint active PTA participation bridges the gap between parents and school administrations and acts as a crucial oversight mechanism.
They strongly believe that parents may better monitor school environments, support guidance and counselling, and hold staff members accountable to the Ghana Education Service (GES) code of conduct when they are involved in the basic and second-cycle school activities.
When school administration functions without external supervision, sexual abuse, exploitation, and indiscipline may result. This transparency is thought to be a crucial deterrent.
However, some educational experts point out that although strong PTAs are helpful, more than just parental supervision is needed to prevent deeply rooted problems like sexual misconduct and moral degeneration.
This viewpoint emphasises that the main instruments required to punish perpetrators and discourage future abuse are institutional enforcement, thorough investigations, and strong legal prosecution by state authorities rather than only school-level committees.
Furthermore, detractors frequently point out that if educational rules do not clearly specify the boundaries of oversight, an excessive reliance on PTAs may cause conflict with school administration.
A strong judicial and administrative proceedings shield victims from ongoing pain and intimidation, discourage potential offenders, and stop wrongdoing from becoming the norm.
In order to maintain high enrollment and completion rates among female students in basic and senior high schools, there should be strict implementation of the GES code of conduct to reassure families that schools are safe places.
Although legal analysts and administrative specialists note that speed is crucial, it must be carefully balanced with thoroughness and due process because hurried investigations might result in procedural mistakes that could lead to unfair sanctions.
Therefore, a comprehensive solution necessitates proactive measures like mandatory background checks and professional ethics training for educators.
The Spectator stresses the need to end sexual exploitation in schools while highlighting the continuous debate over the most effective ways for institutions to provide both prompt justice and legally sound results.
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