In a creative twist to health education, students from Tema Missionary Technical Institute have won an inter-school art competition designed to promote menstrual hygiene awareness, outscoring Chemu SHS and Tema Presbyterian SHS with an impressive 84 points.
The competition, organized by the Adolescent Health Unit of the Tema General Hospital (TGH), challenged senior high school students within the Tema Central Constituency to visually express healthy menstrual hygiene practices through artwork. The initiative aimed to gauge students’ understanding of menstrual health following years of outreach education by health professionals.
Mrs. Nana Egyiriba Idun Acquah, Head of the TGH Adolescent Health Unit, praised the students’ creativity, teamwork, and confidence during the competition. “This student-led initiative reflects how well they have internalised our health education campaigns. We are thrilled by the depth of their understanding,” she told the Ghana News Agency.
Celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Month, the event was held under the theme “Together for a Period Friendly World.” Mrs. Acquah stressed the importance of involving boys in menstrual hygiene education to break taboos and end stigma on school campuses.
“When boys understand menstruation as a natural biological process, they can support rather than isolate their peers,” she said. She also encouraged campus health professionals to be empathetic and provide psychological support to girls during their cycle, noting the emotional stress many endure.
Winners of the competition received a box of sanitary pads as their prize—an acknowledgment of both their artistic skill and their commitment to raising awareness. Mrs. Acquah urged all students to share their knowledge with peers, turning awareness into action for a more inclusive, supportive school environment.
