Luxury Vending Machine CEO Leads Sanitary Pad Donation Drive in Ghana

Story by Fada Amakye

Amiratu Issah, CEO of Vend Luxe in London, has embarked on a mission to provide free sanitary pads to women in Ghana through her Big Give Ghana Foundation. Issah, who is also a makeup artist, believes that no woman should be held back by their menstrual cycle due to lack of access to sanitary products.

Issah, who is based in the UK, was moved to action by the high cost of sanitary products in Ghana, making it difficult for many women to afford them. She emphasized that menstruation is a natural part of life, and women should not have to choose between their health and dignity.

The donation drive, which is targeting the Nina Community, aims to provide free sanitary pads to women and girls, with the goal of promoting menstrual hygiene and reducing absenteeism from work and school.

Issah stressed the importance of prioritizing women’s health and hygiene, saying, “A woman’s body is very complicated. Before I go into anything, like every month, we have periods. Sometimes you can be in pain. Sometimes you can be tired. So it’s not just a fact of sometimes women don’t want to work, but my advice to a woman would be to not stop, don’t let your circumstances define where you’re from.”

The Big Give Ghana Foundation plans to partner with local businesses, such as hair salons and pharmacies, to provide sustainable access to sanitary products for women in Ghana. Women can sign up with their Ghana card to receive menstrual health packages monthly.

Issah’s initiative has already visited four locations, and she hopes to continue the movement, empowering women and promoting menstrual health awareness in Ghana.