Vice President Commissions Softcare Sanitary Pads Production Line, Reaffirms Government Partnership

Accra Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has formally commissioned a new sanitary pads production line at Softcare Manufacturing Company, underscoring the government’s ongoing commitment to deepening public-private partnerships and driving the country’s industrialisation agenda. The ceremony, held in Accra on Monday, marked a significant milestone for local manufacturing and economic transformation.

In remarks delivered at the event, the Vice President described Softcare as a strategic domestic industrial player whose growth over the last 15 years exemplifies what is possible when a business-friendly policy environment supports capable private sector actors. She lauded the company’s evolution from a small necessity-driven initiative into a nationally recognised manufacturing powerhouse generating thousands of jobs and producing high-quality “Made in Ghana” products.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang highlighted that the expansion of the production facility aligns with the government’s broader industrial reset strategy, which prioritises value addition, job creation, and economic diversification. She said the new production line would not only reinforce the domestic supply of sanitary products but also bolster export opportunities for Ghanaian-made hygiene products in regional and international markets.

“The Government of His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama remains fully committed to the systematic transformation of Ghana’s economy,” she noted. “The Ghana Framework for Industrialisation and Transformation is a key mechanism in this effort, and today’s commissioning demonstrates that the strategy is yielding tangible results.”

The Vice President emphasised that the sanitary pads sector has been identified as a high-potential industry under the Accelerated Export Development Programme, a key initiative designed to diversify Ghana’s export base beyond traditional commodities. In this context, Softcare’s expansion is seen as an example of how local businesses can leverage supportive policies and partnerships to compete globally.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang also highlighted the role of locally manufactured sanitary pads in improving public health and education outcomes. She emphasised that access to affordable hygiene products is crucial for reducing school absenteeism among girls, promoting menstrual hygiene, and supporting broader gender-focused social interventions.

The Vice President pointed to the government’s Free Sanitary Pads Programme, which aims to provide free pads to schoolgirls nationwide, and reaffirmed ongoing efforts to ensure the products procured under this policy are manufactured locally. She said this focus on domestic production would strengthen local industries while addressing period poverty and promoting dignity for young girls.

Softcare’s Chairman, Mr Y. C. Shen, expressed appreciation for the government’s sustained support and policy direction, describing the environment as instrumental to the company’s growth and contribution to national development. He noted that the new production line would enhance operational efficiency and generate additional employment opportunities within the local community.

Mr Shen reiterated the company’s alignment with the government’s 24-Hour Economy Initiative, which promotes continuous industrial activity and productivity. He urged regulators and stakeholders to maintain a transparent and level playing field, noting that such an environment is critical to attracting investment, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusive economic growth.

Softcare’s journey began in 2009 with the trading of hygiene products, and over the years the company has expanded into manufacturing a wide range of baby and feminine hygiene products, including diapers, sanitary pads and wet wipes. Its products are distributed locally and exported to markets across West Africa and parts of Asia, reflecting both the quality and competitiveness of Ghanaian manufacturing on the global stage.

The company has also maintained a strong corporate social responsibility profile, engaging in initiatives aimed at improving community welfare. These include donation drives at major healthcare facilities and nationwide educational campaigns focused on road safety and menstrual hygiene awareness.

Softcare’s contribution to the Free Sanitary Pads Programme has been significant. Since joining the initiative, the company has helped support efforts to provide free sanitary pads to more than two million schoolgirls in public basic and secondary schools. This intervention has played an important role in addressing period poverty, reducing absenteeism, and promoting menstrual hygiene and dignity across the country.

Over the years, Softcare’s achievements have garnered significant national recognition. The company has received accolades for excellence in manufacturing and corporate social responsibility, reflecting its impact on the economy, communities and public welfare.

Industry analysts have noted that the expansion of local production capacity and increased public-private cooperation, as demonstrated by Softcare’s new production line, aligns with Ghana’s aspirations to strengthen its industrial base and reduce reliance on imports. By building capacity in sectors like hygiene product manufacturing, the country is better positioned to create sustainable employment, catalyse technological adoption and enhance export competitiveness.

The commissioning of the new production line underscores the shared vision between government and the private sector to advance Ghana’s industrial transformation. It sends a strong signal that with supportive policies, strategic partnerships, and sustained investment, local industries can drive economic growth, deliver meaningful social impact and compete effectively in global markets.

As Ghana continues to implement its industrialisation roadmap, initiatives like Softcare’s expansion are expected to play a central role in fostering inclusive development, strengthening local enterprises, and solidifying the country’s reputation as a hub for competitive manufacturing in West Africa and beyond.