Ghana’s drive to strengthen local manufacturing and address period poverty received a significant lift as Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang commissioned the fourth production line of Softcare FM Manufacturing Limited, marking a major expansion in the domestic production of sanitary pads.
The commissioning underscores government efforts to align industrial growth with social impact, while reinforcing confidence in Ghana’s improving economic environment.
Speaking at the event, the Vice President described the new production line as a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when deliberate policy direction is matched with private sector confidence and a commitment to local manufacturing.
She noted that the project increases Ghana’s supply of locally produced sanitary pads while creating additional jobs, outcomes she said are consistent with national priorities under the current administration.
“Under the leadership of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, the government is determined to transform the economy by focusing on import substitution, industrial manufacturing, and value addition”
Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang
According to her, the focus on import substitution, industrial manufacturing, and value addition is central to reducing Ghana’s dependence on imports and ensuring that more wealth is retained within the domestic economy.
She pointed out that the partnership involving the Sunda Group and Softcare FM illustrates growing investor confidence in Ghana’s economic stability and policy direction.
Tapping into AFCFTA’s Market
The Vice President highlighted the strategic importance of the fourth production line, explaining that beyond boosting domestic supply, it positions Softcare to tap into export opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area.
With increased capacity and efficiency, she said, Ghanaian manufacturers are better placed to compete in regional markets and benefit from deeper continental trade integration.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang used the occasion to reiterate a broader message about Africa’s development pathway, stressing that the continent must move beyond an overreliance on exporting raw materials.
She argued that whether in cocoa, oil, or mineral resources, the future of African economies lies in value addition, local production, and the development of industries that create sustainable jobs and keep economic value within national borders.
Beyond its industrial significance, the Vice President said the Softcare expansion speaks directly to issues of human dignity and social equity. She described menstrual hygiene as a critical but often overlooked challenge, noting that many girls across the country still rely on improvised or substandard products.
For her, the sight of schoolgirls receiving locally manufactured sanitary pads branded “Made in Ghana” offers a powerful illustration of what inclusive development looks like in practice.
Free Sanitary Pad Initiative
In line with this social commitment, Professor Opoku-Agyemang disclosed that the 2026 Budget has made a substantial allocation of GHS 292.4 million for the Free Sanitary Pad Initiative.
The programme is designed to support female students nationwide by addressing period poverty, reducing school absenteeism, and strengthening girls’ participation in education.
She emphasized that, as directed by President Mahama, all sanitary pads distributed under the initiative will be manufactured locally, ensuring that public spending also drives domestic industrial growth.
The Vice President commended the management and workers of Softcare FM Manufacturing Limited for their contribution to Ghana’s health, education, and industrial progress.
She said their investment demonstrates how local manufacturing can deliver both commercial success and social value. During a tour of the facility, she inspected the newly commissioned production line and expressed satisfaction with its scale and efficiency.
According to her, the new line has the capacity to produce approximately 1,100 packs of sanitary pads per minute, a level of output she described as evidence of world-class innovation and operational efficiency.
She said such capacity not only strengthens supply security within Ghana but also enhances the country’s reputation as a credible manufacturing hub within the sub-region.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang expressed optimism that the expanded facility would continue to serve Ghana and Africa, contributing to job creation, improved access to essential health products, and stronger industrial performance.
She encouraged other private sector players to take advantage of the government’s policy environment and invest in value-adding industries that respond directly to local needs.
The commissioning of Softcare’s fourth production line comes at a time when the government is seeking to demonstrate tangible outcomes from its industrialisation and import substitution policies.
By linking local manufacturing to social interventions such as the Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, the administration is positioning industrial growth not only as an economic objective but also as a tool for advancing equity and human development.
As Ghana continues to pursue its industrial agenda, the Softcare expansion stands as a practical example of how policy, private investment, and social purpose can intersect to deliver measurable benefits.
For government officials, manufacturers, and beneficiaries alike, the project reinforces the message that local production can be both economically viable and socially transformative.
READ ALSO: Ghana Charts New Path for Power Distribution Reform
