STATEMENT BY GOVERNANCE WATCH GHANA ON THE $156 MILLION LOAN AND SANITARY PAD CONFUSION::: Governance Watch (Gh) wish to add its voice to the raging debate on some media reportage on a supposed $156 million by the government to procure sanitary pads to Ghanaian school children. Our checks and information now available to the general public indicates that, the statement as was captured was not accurate. We have ascertained that the government of Ghana had accessed a loan facility from the World Bank to help in building some new Senior High Schools across the country especially in derprived areas, upgrade some 50 existing schools to modern standards, expand some 75 existing schools as well as provide the much needed support to the needy schools to increase enrolment especially in girl-child education. It is clearly established that Oxford did a research into school girls menstruation in poor districts and a pilot trial of pads and puberty education provision. The first face according to the study revealed that post-pubescent girls were missing school as many as five days each month due to inadequate menstrual care. According to the report, in rural areas, the impact of menstruation upon girls was particularly noticeable where there were no, or inadequate toilet or washing facility, no privacy, and girls had walks of 2 hours or more to attend school. The report in its second face, tested a combination of sanitary pads provision and an education module about menstruation and hygiene. It was established that the provision of pads reduced the absenteeism rate from about 21% to 9%. The girls under study in the report reported in improvement in their ability to concentrate union school, higher confidence levels, and increased participation in a range of everyday activities while menstruating. Our research revealed that countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and India have recognised the importance of providing sanitary pads. For instance, a joint campaign by the CEF and the GCN resulted in Kenya’s Ministry of Finance agreeing to cancel the 16% VAT on sanitary pads. In the loan agreement sent to Parliament for approval, the components included were: •Building of 23 new schools to expand access to secondary education. • Upgrade of 75 existing schools •Expansion of 50 existing schools to increase their admission capacity. •Offer scholarships to 10,400 students to pursue secondary education. Provision of: •School uniforms •School sandals •School bags •Note book •Pens and pencils •Rulers •Supplementary readers •Mathematical sets •Sanitary pads •Cover other approved fees and levies on students. We are very much disappointed in the minoritys attempt to run down a rather laudable policy of this kind. In a country where majority of our communities are deprived and suffering as a result of successive governments failure to tackle the social issues affecting them, it can be described as bizarre to hear no less a person than a female Member of Parliament on the floor of parliament speaking to ridicule this laudable idea. We should expect the honourable member to know, especially being a woman and a mother for that matter, the importance of hygiene and most importantly on our young girls. In the list provided above where the loans being sourced is to be channelled, why did the minority select the aspect that has to do with the provision of sanitary pads to our school girls? Is that to say that the education of our young girls in deprived communities is not a prerogative of the minority? We are all aware of the state of our young women in rural communities. We all see signs of their menstruation when it does occur. This phenomenon is not unique in any political partys strong hold in Ghana. In any case, doesnt both minority and majority in parliament have some of their colleagues in parliament representing communities that are impoverished? That said, we would like to commend the likes of Dr. Anthony Akoto Osei and Nana Akomeah who stated through text messages to a TV programme today lauding the project. We believe that all have equal rights to have the best that this country can offer them. In a country where out of about 800 schools, 100 are overly subscribed, what would be the best option? Wouldnt it be for the government to help improve the other potential schools to help in student intake? That done, wouldnt it require that students fill those schools? That said, would it not be appropriate to make lives comfortable for those who are deprived so they can be motivated to stay in schools and to learn for their own good? Governance Watch (Gh) believes that political parties deserves the right to pick and choose on what to comment on and what to support. But, we see this attempt to run down what is meant for the ordinary man in our society very regrettable. As stated earlier, the are records to show that interventions like this have improved on enrolment in rural deprived communities. What is important then, should be how to ensure that this policy as was contained in the document gets to those targeted to avoid the monies allocated, finding ways into peoples pockets. Thank you! Signed: Stephen Kwabena Attuh ASK! Adomako Fred Williams Nii Addotey Yemo 1 George Ekegey Ekeha #sm
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:34:12 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015