The kind gesture, a vital step in addressing the challenges faced by young women in accessing menstrual hygiene products, took place at the premises of Onua Group Foundation in Kanda, Accra.

The charitable arm of the telecommunications company, Telecel Ghana, believes the donation will improve the quality of life of young women in the beneficiary communities, who might stay away from school during their menstrual cycle due to the challenge of accessing sanitary towels.

"Women in Telecel and the Foundation are pleased to have pooled our resources together to donate these packs of sanitary towels to support the menstrual hygiene of young women in Mepe and Ada," said Augusta Andrews, Director of Legal and External Affairs at Telecel Ghana. "Telecel is passionate about the wellbeing of girls and women, and we believe that every girl should have the opportunity to attend school and participate fully in society without being hindered by the stigma or inconvenience of menstruation."

Inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products is an often-overlooked barrier that girls face, particularly in low-income areas where sanitary products can be expensive. According to multiple studies, a significant number of school-age girls in Ghana miss classes during their menstrual cycles due to a lack of access to these essential items.

Receiving the donation, Head of Onua Group Foundation, Abu Issa Monnie, expressed gratitude to the Women in Telecel group and the Foundation for their generous support and called on other organisations to follow suit.

“These sanitary towels are a critical necessity for young women in Mepe and Ada and they will make a real difference in their lives. We are calling on other organisations to follow in the steps of Telecel to ensure that more girls have access to the menstrual hygiene products they need to help them focus on learning in schools," Issa Monnie said.

The donation of sanitary towels is part of Telecel Ghana Foundation's ongoing commitment to support the health of vulnerable people in communities who need it most. Continued collaboration and advocacy can dismantle the barriers that prevent girls from realising their full potential.