Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Savelugu in the Northern Region. She has expressed concerns about President John Dramani Mahama’s Free Sanitary Pads initiative.
While she commended the initiative’s good intentions, Hajia Fatahiya warned that poor execution could lead to “bitter disappointment.”
“Good intentions, without careful execution, often pave the way to bitter disappointment,” she remarked in an article.
The Savelugu MP, serving as the Deputy Ranking Member on the Gender, Children, and Social Welfare Committee of Parliament, proposed a more targeted approach. The approach starts with the five northern regions—Northern, Upper East, Upper West, North East, and Savannah. These regions are known for their high levels of poverty and underdevelopment. She also called for improvements in school hygiene facilities.
The NPP MP highlighted several challenges. These included funding gaps, geographic disparities, and inadequate infrastructure. They questioned whether the initiative was a genuine effort or a “political gimmick dressed in the cloth of compassion.”
Hajia Fatahiya recommended the local production of sanitary pads. She also suggested tax exemptions on hygienic products. Additionally, she proposed data-driven strategies to effectively target vulnerable girls.
She also proposed improving school infrastructure. She suggested establishing gender-friendly toilets. Additionally, she recommended allocating one per cent of VAT revenue to support menstrual health.
The MP urged President Mahama to ensure a well-detailed implementation plan. He should initiate pilot phases in the northern regions. Civil society organizations should be involved in the program’s rollout.
“Our girls deserve more than promises — they deserve dignity,” she concluded.
