Features
Menstruation at high cost in Ghana?
It may sound funny, astonishing, scaring, irrelevant and surprising, but in an actual sense, this is exactly what is being considered in a country with a population of over 33.4 million Ghanaians, of whom 16.4 million are women (according to the 2021 Population Census), who cannot avoid going through the mandatory menstrual cycle, popularly referred to as ‘period’, in their lifetime. Unless otherwise, which can be attributed to sickness on the part of women and, therefore, obstructs their menstrual cycles, almost all women created by the Almighty God cannot escape menstruation.
PROTEST BY WOMEN ON HIGH TAX
On June 22, Ghanaian activists, mostly women, took to the streets of Accra for what they termed, “Don’t Tax My Period” demonstration and placard march. The protest took place against the heavy taxation of menstrual hygiene products. Organised by the Women’s Wing of the Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) in collaboration with some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Yebetumi and Obaasima, the demonstration was aimed at drawing Ghanaians and, for that matter, the government’s attention to the pervasive issue of period poverty.
The protestors, we are told, marched to parliament while it was in session, where the Speaker, the honorable Alban Sumani Bagbin, had to pause the on-going session to meet with their delegation over their demands. Astonished and amazed by the concerns of the protestors, Speaker Bagbin assured the protestors that their concerns would be given serious consideration with a positive response to their demands as early as possible.
SPEAKER’S REACTION TO TAXES
The protestors have vowed to return to the streets if taxes on menstrual hygiene products are not removed. Meanwhile, the Speaker, we are told, has described the taxes on sanitary pads as unfair. “Imposing taxes on sanitary pads was a cardinal sin,” says Speaker Bagbin in the front-page headline of the Daily Searchlight newspaper on June 23, 2023.
For the benefit of those, especially the opposite sex (men), who do not understand what ‘period poverty’ means. Let me summarize it in one sentence for them to be informed since my work as a journalist is simply to educate, inform and entertain the people about what is going on around them in the public space. ‘Period poverty’ is simply a situation in which women and girls from deprived backgrounds are too poor to afford the hygienic sanitary products needed to protect themselves during their menstruation.
POVERTY-STRICKEN RURAL COMMUNITIES
Just imagine the poverty-stricken rural communities across the country where people are finding it very difficult to make ends meet. Apart from the availability of foodstuffs from farm gates and bush meat, the people live in perpetual poverty as they cannot afford luxury items to supplement whatever they have to rely on. Even how to cater for their children’s education has been a major problem for parents and guardians. How much more the imposition of huge taxes of 12.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) and 20 per cent import duty on sanitary products due to what is being termed escalating prices on the shipment of these products? Even vulnerable women and girls in the urban communities in the country are finding the cost of living very difficult to cope with the situation; how much more the rural folks?
AGI POSITION ON HIGH TAXATION
It is worthy of note that the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) is kicking against the removal of duties on imported sanitary pads, explaining that any policy by the government that seeks to remove taxes on the imported sanitary pads at the expense of local manufacturers of the products would be very detrimental to the economy. “Our young women deserve affordable sanitary pads, but granting tax waivers on imported sanitary pads is not the way to go. We caution the government not to play to the gallery, rather stay focused on its industrial transformation agenda by incentivizing local manufacturers rather than imports,” says the AGI.
In fact, there are many, including this writer, who are highly disappointed with the standpoint and argument of the AGI, describing the association as being selfish and not sympathetic to our vulnerable women and girls in society. Some are of the opinion that they should rather urge the government to remove the taxes and give contracts to local manufacturers to produce the sanitary pads so that the government would absorb the payments and distribute them free of charge to our children in schools. Some schools of thought think that advising the government not to play to the gallery means the AGI is not sympathetic to the cause of the poor and vulnerable in society.
COUNTRIES THAT SUPPLY PADS FREELY
It is a fact that in other jurisdictions in the world, especially in Africa, such as Kenya, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, these menstruation period products are provided free of charge to these vulnerable women and school girls, just because of their essence and the fact that the majority of them cannot simply afford these products. We are being told that since most parents in the rural areas of Ghana cannot afford these sanitary pads for their children in school, most of them have resorted to the use of unorthodox and unhygienic means such as using leaves from tree branches to protect themselves from excessive bleeding. We need not subscribe to some of these unhealthy practices to the detriment of our women and the little ones.
Let us not downplay this all-important issue because women, who are an important segment of society, need to be adored and cherished because of their vital roles, especially in the upbringing of children. They must therefore be supported in all aspects of daily life so that they can fulfill their avowed duty in society with distinction. Never should they be looked down upon in matters that will promote their welfare and enhance their progress.
PARLIAMENT SENSIBILITY ON WOMEN’S PLIGHT
Our lawmakers, led by Speaker Bagbin, have shown their sensibility to the plight of this vulnerable and underprivileged group and are ready to ensure that these high taxes are not imposed on them unduly to deprive them of their womanhood. The august parliament deserves commendation, and it is the expectation of Ghanaians that the house will live up to its promise of making life comfortable for our women and girls in society.
Just as most Ghanaians have suggested, parliament must liaise with the Executive arm of government to enact laws that will encourage the support and promotion of our local industries so that they produce these sanitary pads and other menstruation products locally, so as to discourage the importation of these products and bring down taxes to the barest minimum. In so doing, our underprivileged women and girls will be relieved of the unnecessary financial burden.
The issue of menstruation for women is certainly not negotiable because it is what God has ordained, and they must endure and go through the process without hindrance whatsoever. There should be no impediment in their way whatsoever as they go through this excruciating and painful moment in their lives. We salute you all, women, for your toil and sacrifice, which are not in vain!
By Charles Neequaye
Contact email/WhatsApp of author:
HYPERLINK “mailto:ataani2000@ yahoo.com” ataani2000@yahoo.com
0277753946/0248933366
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Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
