ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) Ghana Limited has commemorated World Menstrual Hygiene Day at Konongo, in the Asante Akyem North District to raise awareness and reduce barriers menstruation poses to education, health, and equal opportunity.

The celebration aimed to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding menstruation. It was also aimed at empowering young women through education.

This year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration brought together 638 schoolchildren, comprising 68 boys and 570 girls from 23 basic schools, including Junior High Schools, primary schools, and one secondary school, from the Konongo and Nkawkaw districts.

Also present were educators, health professionals, and traditional leaders converging under the theme “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld”.

The programme commenced with a vibrant float in the morning, where over 350 students paraded through the Konongo–Odumase township with placards and music to raise awareness about menstrual health.

The main event was held at Konongo Odumase Senior High School, where educational sessions led by health professionals, as well as poetry, drama, and musical performances by students, centred on menstrual hygiene.

The Asante Akim Central Municipal Health Director, Ms. Delphine Gborgblorvor, supported by a team of seven healthcare professionals, provided practical insights into menstrual hygiene management, emphasising the importance of using clean products, changing them regularly, and maintaining proper hygiene to prevent infections and promote confidence.

Ms. Gborgblorvor highlighted common challenges faced by adolescent girls during menstruation and offered practical tips to manage period pain, maintain hygiene, and safely dispose of sanitary products. A live demonstration accompanied her talk on how to use and wear a sanitary pad properly.

Ms. Gborgblorvor and her team talked about the deep-seated stigma surrounding menstruation, urging both girls and boys to be part of the conversation.

“Menstruation is not a taboo; it is a sign of health and womanhood. When we educate girls and boys alike, we break barriers of shame and ignorance. Every child deserves to feel confident and safe, even on their period,” Ms. Delphine Gborgblorvor said.

Adding cultural depth and traditional authority to the occasion, Nana Yaa Koah III, the Paramount Queen Mother of Odumase, who was in attendance with her elders, reflected on the evolution of menstrual care and the urgent need for continued education.

The Nifahene of Konongo, Nana Anthony Seber, with his entourage of elders, graced the occasion. Other speakers included Dr. Agyapong, a Gynaecologist at the Asante-Akim Central Municipal Hospital, who guided the audience through the importance of tracking cycles and infection prevention.

One of the programme’s highlights was the distribution of reusable sanitary pads to 570 girls in attendance, an activity led by Sylvia Amo-Asare, the president of the ofi Women’s Network.

Additionally, three boxes of disposable pads have been distributed to adolescent club schools in Nkawkaw, Assin Fosu, and Twifo Praso, reaching a total of 20 clubs. A further 30 boxes of sanitary pads have also been donated to the Asokwa Municipal Assembly in support of their own Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations.

Present at the programme were the Vice Presidents and Heads of the Procurement and Sustainability Businesses, 87 employees, and representatives from the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE).

The Headmaster of Konongo Odumase Senior High School, Mr Benjamin Kwaku Baah, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of ofi’s operations in Ghana, thanking the team for choosing to spend the day with the participating students and educating them about the importance of menstrual hygiene.

Reflecting on the success of the event, Country Head of ofi, Mr Eric Botwe, remarked; “Menstrual health is a fundamental part of gender equality, and it is important to create environments where women can thrive without shame or limitation. This celebration is a reminder that change begins with empathy, education, and collective action.”