Citizens’ Watch Q1 2025

Introduction

The Q1 2025 edition of Citizens’ Watch captures SEND GHANA’s continued drive for equity in public health, gender inclusion, youth empowerment, and climate-resilient agriculture. This quarter, the organization advanced menstrual equity, promoted gender-responsive planning at the district level, supported locally led climate adaptation among cocoa farmers, and renewed its push for healthier food environments through front-of-pack food labeling.

Key Highlights

• Advancing Menstrual Equity for All: SEND GHANA applauds the government’s allocation of GHS 292.4 million for free sanitary pads in schools but calls for expanded coverage to include teenage mothers, street girls, and apprentices. We also advocate for the removal of taxes on imported sanitary products to eliminate menstrual poverty completely.
• Gender-Responsive Budgeting at the Local Level: Through the Fair4All project, SEND GHANA trained district-level officers on integrating gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) into development plans, ensuring public funds address the needs of women, girls, and marginalized communities.
• Locally Led Climate Action in Cocoa Farming: SEND GHANA supports cocoa farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices like organic composting and natural pest control. These efforts, part of the Fair4All initiative, aim to enhance climate resilience while preserving the environment and sustaining livelihoods.
• Advocating for Front-of-Pack Food Labeling: The organization renews its call for mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) to combat diet-related diseases. Drawing lessons from Chile and Mexico, SEND GHANA urges policymakers to empower consumers with simple, visible nutrition warnings on ultra-processed foods.
• Youth Champions Keep Girls in School with Pad Banks: Under the Power to Choose project, youth advocates established 12 pad banks in Cape Coast, Sagnarigu, and West Mamprusi. These school-based facilities help reduce absenteeism by providing girls with free sanitary pads during their periods.

Who Should Read This Newsletter?

This publication is valuable for policymakers, civil society organizations, cocoa industry stakeholders, development partners, and citizens working towards health security, food safety, environmental protection, and governance.