In a bold move to support the Government of Ghana’s sanitary pad distribution programme aimed at ending period poverty, Access Bank PLC has announced a commitment to donate one million sanitary pads to schoolgirls across the country.

The pledge was made during a courtesy call by the Group Deputy Managing Director of Access Bank PLC, Chizoma Okoli, to the Vice President of the Republic, Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

The visit, organised under the Access Women’s Network (AWN), forms part of the bank’s growing partnerships to advance female empowerment, education, and health.

“Access Bank stands firmly with the government’s vision to ensure that no girl is left behind because of period poverty. We are pleased to announce our pledge to distribute one million sanitary pads across Ghana to help keep girls in school, protect their dignity, and support their dreams,” Chizoma Okoli said.

The announcement builds on Access Bank’s decade-long investment in gender-focused initiatives under its flagship ‘W’ Initiative. In 2024, the bank reached over 100,000 schoolgirls in 19 districts across five regions in Ghana, providing menstrual hygiene education and free sanitary pads.

The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, welcomed the pledge and lauded Access Bank’s proactive role in advancing gender equity.

“This pledge is a testament to what is possible when the private sector joins forces with government to tackle real issues affecting our young girls. I commend Access Bank for setting an inspiring example,” she stated.

Executive Director for Retail and Digital Banking at Access Bank (Ghana) PLC, Pearl Nkrumah, reiterated the bank’s broader commitment to social impact.

“We believe sustainable development starts with empowering women and girls. Beyond banking, Access Bank is committed to solving real-world challenges that hold our communities back,” she said.

In addition to the sanitary pad pledge, the Group Deputy MD also shared updates on other social impact interventions, including the bank’s ‘Fist Against Fistula’ campaign and the award-winning “A Sandal More for a Better Tomorrow” project, which recycles used tyres into footwear for schoolchildren.

As Access Bank celebrates 10 years of the ‘W’ Initiative, this new pledge affirms its leadership in social responsibility and commitment to transforming lives, one pad, one girl, and one community at a time.

Operating from more than 700 branches and service outlets in 23 countries in Africa and the rest of the world including the UAE, UK, Hong Kong, and France along with three representative offices in China, India, and Lebanon, Access Bank is committed to setting standards to deliver superior value to customers and provide innovative solutions for the markets and communities it serves.