Protesters Demand Tax Removal on Sanitary Pads in Ghana’s Parliament
A group of demonstrators made their voices heard on Thursday as they gathered outside Ghana’s parliament, calling for the elimination of taxes on sanitary pads.
Clad in red attire and brandishing placards, the protesters caught the attention of security officers who prevented them from entering the parliament building. Instead, they were directed to assemble at the entrance, where their chants of “We want free periods, don’t tax my pad” disrupted parliamentary proceedings temporarily.
The group argued that the government should abolish the 20% import tax and 12.5% Value Added Tax imposed on sanitary pads, as these levies have significantly increased the cost, making them unaffordable for many individuals.
Campaigners highlighted the detrimental effects of high-priced sanitary pads, citing increased absenteeism among schoolgirls and hygiene challenges faced by the rural poor.
However, the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) cautioned against scrapping the import taxes, expressing concerns about the potential negative impact on local manufacturers’ competitiveness.
According to the Ghana Revenue Authority, menstrual hygiene products fall under the category of finished goods and are therefore subject to import taxes.
