Nana Ampofoa Initiative tackles menstrual hygiene challenges among underprivileged female prisoners

Menstrual hygiene is a luxury for the majority of female prisoners, who are already faced with the challenge of overcrowding.

Without access to affordable sanitary products and adequate menstrual health education, these women struggle with menstrual hygiene.

A Superintendent of the Kumasi Central Prison is offering hope through the Nana Ampofoa Initiative by providing sanitary pads, education, and fostering a supportive environment to address inmates’ menstrual challenges.

Many girls and women, particularly in low-income societies, lack access to basic sanitary materials and may be forced to use cloth or other unsafe materials, leading to potential health risks.

At the Kumasi Central Prisons, 1,600 inmates are cramped in the prison facility built to contain 500 prisoners.

For female prisons, the overcrowding is not only an issue of discomfort, but a recipe for menstrual unhygienic complications.

Obstetrician Gynecologist at Manhyia District Hospital, Dr. Kwame Aseidu Danso, who provided the education, says unkempt hygiene could be detrimental to the health of women.

He advocates constant education and engagement.

“These women are underprivileged because of their situation. They cannot move around as they are supposed to, and even with resources, there is a reliance on donations. Being in a confined space shows the potential for high infection spread. And this becomes a public health concern. If we are able to educate them and counsel them on how to mitigate these situations, it will be extremely beneficial,” he said.

These situations are being mitigated at the Kumasi Central Prisons under an advocacy and support drive by the Nana Ampofoa Initiative.

Founded and led by the Deputy Superintendent of Kumasi Central Prisons, Roselyn Ampofoa Tweneboa Kodua, the initiative has offered extensive hygiene education to female prisoners.

The intervention included a cervical cancer screening and a donation of sanitary pads, toiletries, sanitary materials and bottled water.

The inmates were educated on what to expect during the periods of menstruation as well as sexual and general health, while dispelling misconceptions and promoting healthy practices.

Roselyn believes the intervention will restore female inmates’ dignity and improve their menstrual health.

“This intervention came as an idea, which aimed to brighten the little corner I am, to aid female inmates and officers during Menstrual Hygiene Day. We keep improving every year, and next year I believe it will be extensive. When it comes to menstrual issues, dignity is not there because of their condition. And there are many who don’t know about menstrual trends and how to fit in.

“So I believe this initiative will inspire action and proper hygiene. This is part of the many things we do as a foundation: donations, school education and outreach. Many thanks to Hello Period, Ohemaa detergent, In Him Ministries and other individuals and groups for their resource support, which has made the project a reality,” she said.

The outreach was in celebration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

Deputy Director of Prisons and officer-in-charge of Kumasi Central prisons, James Mwinyelle, is impressed with the internal assistance offered by staff like Roselyn to mitigate situations at the prisons.

“This intervention will help a lot. She has been instrumental and impactful. I am glad she picked up this issue and is making such progress. Our problems are a lot and female prisoners experience the worst of women’s problems. So it’s highly beneficial that someone internally identifies such and moves on their own capacity to assist, I believe it’s worth emulating,” she said.

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