Editorial
Elimination of tax on sanitary pads laudable
It is wonderful news and incredibly refreshing that the government is eliminating the tax on sanitary pads.
This will make the product more affordable for young adolescent girls and women, which will ultimately reduce menstruation poverty.
As part of the 2024 Budget Statement that was delivered in Parliament on Wednesday, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta declared that sanitary pads will no longer be subject to tax.
“Mr. Speaker, “The implementation of the following reliefs has been prioritised, including Zero rate VAT on locally produced sanitary pads,” the Finance Minister announced.
According to him, “This decision to scrap taxes on sanitary pads reflects our commitment to addressing women’s health needs and promoting gender equality.”
The action is undoubtedly important in the fight for gender equality as it would better manage menstrual hygiene, meet the specific healthcare needs of women, and lessen the financial burden on women and girls,
Additionally, the decision to remove the tax on locally produced sanitary pads would undoubtedly spur producers to increase output, which will benefit the economy of the nation.
Women’s rights groups, health campaigners, and manufacturers who have long pushed for the exemption of sanitary pads from taxes applauded the news.
The Spectator also joined the advocacy demanding the government to waive the tax on sanitary pads and to help women and adolescent girls by lowering the cost and increasing the accessibility of sanitary pads.
We hope that the removal of tax on sanitary pads will open the door for other policies that put women’s health and wellbeing first.
The Spectator continues to urge individuals, women activists, institutions, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and other well-meaning Ghanaians to keep providing menstrual hygiene products to women and teenage girls across the country in order to improve their lives.
The Spectator calls on the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to ensure that producers of sanitary pads reduce the price of their goods as soon as the policy goes into effect in order to support the overall growth and development of the nation’s economy.
The government must also sustain the provision of water, sanitary facilities, and hygienic amenities (WASH) in order to retain girls in school.
Editorial
ECG PowerApp: A mixed bag of technical issues, uncredited payment concerns
Dear Editor,
On February 18, 2020, the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) PowerApp, a mobile application designed in-house by staff of ECG.
It was to improve its service delivery to its customers.
The development of the app also meant that customers of ECG would now have the opportunity to purchase power and pay bills using their mobile phones.
That means customers of ECG would no longer have to join long queues to purchase power, but could now do that at their own convenience and in the comfort of their homes.
According to the Communication Officer, the PowerApp has increased annual revenue growth for the company.
He said as of April 2024, the new application system had increased its annual revenue growth by 128 per cent as compared to the old system at negative seven per cent.
Despite these reasons for which the app was developed and the benefits it has brought to ECG, there have been growing concerns among a section of the public on its use.
Some have argued that they were not credited after using the app to recharge their prepaid meter while the money was deducted from their MoMo accounts.
Such experience has made some customers vow not use the app to recharge their prepaid meters but rather go to prepaid vendors nearby to purchase credit. Some are even prepared to travel to far places to purchase prepaid credits.
I think such experience does not speak well of ECG because it could affect public trust in the company in its service delivery. This is the more reason why the ECG has to take the concerns raised by its customers seriously.
Kofi Bruce,
Mampong
Editorial
Our women can deliver
Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the women that have so far caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for ministerial appointment.
So far, over 10 women have been vetted already and they all gave a very good account of themselves and I hope that they perform to the best of their abilities.
This is a good sign from President Mahama who demonstrated a strong resolve to provide an enabling environment for the women to be part of decision making by choosing a woman as his Vice President.
And true to his word, a number of women have been appointed in ministerial positions and others as presidential staffers.
I believe the other appointments to come would also have women making the cut.
This would be a morale booster for the young women out there who thinks that their position is the kitchen or in a man’s house as a wife.
This is a clear case of women given the urge to aim to rise above what society and traditional norms have set for them. I wish them well.
Maame Atta,
Kokompe
