In a move to promote menstrual hygiene and make sanitary pads more affordable for women, the government has announced the scrapping of taxes on locally produced sanitary pads.
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta made the announcement during the presentation of the 2024 Budget and Economic Statement to Parliament.
“Mr. Speaker, further to the above, the following reliefs have been prioritised for implementation:
i. Extend zero rate of VAT on locally manufactured African prints for two (2) more years;
ii. Waive import duties on the import of electric vehicles for public transportation for 8 years;
iii. Waive import duties on semi-knocked down and completely knocked down Electric vehicles imported by registered EV assembly companies in Ghana for 8 years;
iv. Extend zero rate of VAT on locally assembled vehicles for 2 more years;
v. Zero rate VAT on locally produced sanitary pads;
vi. Grant import duty waivers for raw materials for the local manufacture of sanitary pads;
The decision to remove taxes on locally produced sanitary pads is a significant step towards promoting menstrual hygiene and addressing the stigma and challenges that many women and girls face when it comes to managing their periods. It is also a positive step towards ensuring that all women have access to the necessary products to manage their periods in a safe and hygienic manner.
