News
Health advocate calls for tax waver on sanitary products
Ms Minnow
A health advocate Ms Wilhemina Minnow has called on government to support the fight against period poverty by wavering taxes on menstrual products.
This she said would make such products affordable and make them more accessible to girls especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds .“Addressing menstrual poverty through improved access to menstrual products, proper hygiene facilities, and comprehensive menstrual education is crucial to empowering young girls and ensuring their over-all wellbeing,” she added.
She bemoaned that there were many girls who miss school during their periods due to the lack of sanitary pads, leading to a negative impact on their education and potential opportunities.
Ms Minnow who is also a health professional mentioned that menstrual discomfort and fear of leaks could discourage young girls from participating in extra-curricular activities like sports, limiting their overall engagement and self-confidence.
“We cannot afford to put young girls through the pain of societal stigmatisation and shame surrounding menstruation because this can lead to emotional distress and can also affect their mental health to a large extent.”
“If policy makers do not ensure an end to menstrual poverty, a time will come that we cannot find any confident young girl especially in deprived communities. Poor girls will lose confidence even before they become women. This is unacceptable,” she stressed.
Throwing more light on health risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene, the health advocate stated that using unhygienic materials during menstruation could increase the risk of infections and other health issues including, chronic candidiasis, Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), infertility and even birth complications.
She said, it is therefore very important for young girls to receive frequent education on the significance of proper menstrual management to promote overall wellbeing.
“Providing comprehensive and age-appropriate menstrual health education, both at home and in schools, to empower girls with knowledge about menstruation, hygiene and overall menstrual health is very important.”
“Also, teaching them about menstrual tracking is necessary to help them understand their cycles, which can help identify irregularities and potential health issues,” she added.
According to the healthcare giver, engaging boys and men about menstruation could equally help promote empathy and understanding while creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.
By Raissa Sambou
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
News
Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
