Editorial
Let’s supply sanitary pads to keep girls in school
It is crucial to practise proper menstrual hygiene since it makes girls feel at ease at school and helps to prevent infection and odour.
Unfortunately, because of poverty, many girls, especially those in rural communities, cannot afford to use sanitary pads, and as a result, they skip school during their periods, which eventually has an impact on their performance.
According to a report, some females even use unwanted materials at this time, endangering their health.
There is still more that can be done to support many girls, despite numerous interventions by civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), philanthropists, churches, and other advocacy groups in the form of free sanitary pads donated to schools.
Recently, there have been requests for the government to reduce sanitary pad tariffs, but some have contended that doing so will affect the operations of local sanitary pad producers.
Local firms should be encouraged to acquire the prerequisites to make sanitary pads locally rather than relying on imports. This will increase local businesses’ output, produce jobs for young people, and bring in money for the government.
The Spectator applauds individuals who have been providing sanitary pads to schools and educating young girls about menstrual hygiene, especially in the weeks leading up to Menstrual Hygiene Day observed on May 28 each year to ensure that girls are fully equipped to manage their menstruation.
The Spectator is making a plea to other organisations to prioritise providing sanitary pads to schools in order to help young girls, particularly those living in rural communities, continue their education and fully engage in other social activities.
We also implore local manufacturers and importers of sanitary products to make it a mission to regularly contribute a portion of their goods to schools for use by girls as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES).
We hope that the donation would be made frequently not just once, to help girls in both urban and rural locations.
To assist the girls change regularly when menstruating, it is also vital to provide clean washrooms and prioritise the supply of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities (WASH) in schools.
The Spectator hopes that these initiatives would encourage girls to stay in school, concentrate on their education, and improve their performance in order to prepare for a better future, thereby closing the gender gap that gender experts have been urging for.
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
