Hundreds of schoolgirls in Ekumfi District received free sanitary pads and exercise books on Wednesday as traditional leaders and the Member of Parliament marked World Menstrual Hygiene Day with a community health outreach at Aboano.

The colourful ceremony showcased the rich culture of Ekumfi, with queen mothers from various communities appearing in full regalia.

It was organized by the Ekumfi Traditional Council’s queen mothers in partnership with Ekumfi MP, Dr. Ekow Othniel Kwainoe, and other benevolent Ekumfi citizens.

The program was widely hailed by residents of Srafa-Aboano, who turned out in large numbers to support the initiative. It was hosted by Nana Adjoa Amowah II, Queen Mother of Srafa-Aboano, whose leadership drew praise for bringing critical health education directly to the community. Speaking after the event, Nana Adjoa Amowah II said choosing Srafa-Aboano as a venue was deliberate. “Hosting this program here gave schoolchildren and parents the opportunity to learn about menstrual hygiene in an open, supportive environment,” she said. She noted that many families in rural communities lack access to reliable information on reproductive health, and that such community-based education helps break silence and stigma around menstruation.

According to her, when parents are involved, girls receive consistent support both at school and at home, which reduces absenteeism and improves confidence. “Today’s session was not just about distributing pads. It was about giving our daughters knowledge, dignity, and the assurance that menstruation is normal and manageable,” the Queen Mother added.

It combined product distribution with hands-on education on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health. Education at the Core of the Campaign.

 A key feature of the program was a health education session led by Stella Opoku, a nursing officer from the Ekumfi District Health Directorate.

She took the students through practical lessons on menstrual hygiene, including how to properly use and dispose of sanitary pads, how to maintain personal cleanliness during menstruation, and how to track cycles. “Many girls miss school or feel ashamed simply because they lack basic information and access to safe products,” Madam Opoku told the gathering. She emphasized that good menstrual hygiene prevents infections and keeps girls in the classroom.

Each girl present received a pack of sanitary pads and books to support their education.

Queen Mothers said the items were meant to remove two major barriers that keep girls out of school: lack of menstrual products and inadequate learning materials. From Teenage Pregnancy Campaign to Sustained Support, Nana Ama Benyiwa VI, Paramount Queen Mother of the Ekumfi Traditional Council, traced the initiative back to a campaign launched four years ago to tackle rising teenage pregnancy rates in the district.“Ekumfi District was once ranked high among districts in the Central Region for teenage pregnancy.

 It was alarming,” Nana Benyiwa VI said. “That campaign opened our eyes to the fact that ignorance, poverty, and lack of support were pushing many girls out of school. “She said girls’ education remains central to her vision for Ekumfi. According to her, sustained awareness programs by the queen mothers, combined with community engagement, have contributed to a noticeable drop in teenage pregnancy cases in recent years. This is not just about pads.

It is about dignity, confidence, and keeping our girls in school,” she added.

Nana Benyiwa VI also expressed appreciation to Dr. Ekow Othniel Kwainoe for backing the program financially and logistically.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Ekumfi District Chief Executive, Ishmael Nana Asamoah, Dr. Ekow Othniel Kwainoe expressed concern that many girls across Ghana continue to suffer in silence during menstruation because they cannot afford sanitary pads and other basic hygiene materials.

He said some girls miss several days of school each month, while others resort to unsafe alternatives that expose them to infections and serious health complications.

Dr. Kwainoe painted a grim picture of how financial hardship pushes some vulnerable girls into exploitative relationships. “Some girls are lured into unhealthy relationships with men simply because they need money to buy sanitary pads and personal hygiene products,” he said.  “This situation contributes significantly to teenage pregnancy, school dropout, emotional trauma, and the destruction of many promising futures,” he added. He noted that menstrual poverty creates direct links to teenage pregnancy, as many vulnerable girls become financially dependent on older men for basic needs, including sanitary products. 

Dr. Kwainoe made a strong appeal to parents and guardians to take full responsibility for their daughters’ welfare.

He also called on teachers and health professionals across the constituency to design regular educational programmes in schools and communities to equip girls with knowledge on proper menstrual hygiene and reproductive health.

Several queen mothers from across the traditional area attended and witnessed the distribution, including Nana Ajoa Amowah (ii), Queen Mother of Srafa Aboano, Nana Araba Arhinfua Ill, Queen Mother of Abor)

 Nana Amposima (Tufohemaa Bogyano), Nana Owudom, Queen Mother of  Essakyir, hemaa, and Nana Besiwa (Ekosti hemaa.

 Their presence underscored the traditional council’s role in championing social interventions at the grassroots level. World Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed globally on May 28, focuses on breaking taboos, improving access to menstrual products, and ensuring girls can manage their periods safely and with dignity.