By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, says she does not see the need to import sanitary pads when Ghana could be producing hers locally.
Speaking during the Government Accountability Series at the Presidency on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Minister encouraged local production of sanitary pads, noting that she has reached out to producers and urged them to take advantage of the government’s free sanitary pads program.
The aim is to promote local manufacturing and reduce imports, thereby saving the country foreign exchange and creating employment opportunities and growth for local businesses.
According to her, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry sees the importance of collaboration between importers and local manufacturers, stating, “We want to encourage importers to buy from the manufacturers so that they don’t need to import and pay charges.”
The Minister proposed that this could be achieved through a voluntary agreement or discussion between importers and manufacturers, rather than through legislation. “It doesn’t have to be a law; it can be a discussion or an agreement,” the Minister said, expressing optimism that stakeholders can work together to promote local industry and improve access to affordable sanitary products in Ghana.
