A group of young entrepreneurs in Tamale in the Northern Region has produced sanitary pads from Banana fiber.
Operating under the name Kodu Technology, their product, Iris Pads is currently going through testing at the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority.
They hope to get approval from the two institutions to pave way for mass production.
Co-founder of Kodu Technology, Dr Iddi Mohammed Faried in an interview with this reporter said the group was inspired by their zeal to find a solution to what he described as “period poverty” in rural areas.
He said they aim at selling their sanitary pads at very affordable rates to address the difficulty young girls go through in affording quality sanitary pads monthly.
“We wanted to find a solution to period poverty, where young girls are unable to afford sanitary pads for their monthly menstrual cycle. If our product is approved, it we aim at selling a pack which contains 12 pieces at only Gh¢8” he said.
Dr Mohammed Faried said initial tests of the product by the group indicate it can absorb for up to 6 hours, giving girls “more comfort to worry less about their cycle”.
He explained that Iris Pads are also eco-friendly as they are easily decomposable because they are made from banana fibers.
“A banana sanitary pad is a type of menstrual pad made from natural materials, specifically the bark of the banana plant.
These pads are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional pads, which are often made from synthetic materials such as plastic and can take hundreds of years to decompose.
“One of the main benefits of banana sanitary pads is that they are biodegradable and do not contribute to landfill waste. They are also composable, meaning that they can be broken down and used as fertilizer for plants. This makes them a much more sustainable option compared to traditional pads, which can take hundreds of years to decompose and contribute significantly to pollution and waste.” he noted.
Dr Mohammed Faried and his group members, namely; Umar Farouk Mubaraka and Longi Aadam are finalists at the ongoing Kosmos Innovation Center Agritech Challenge and are coached by Dr Yeboah and DB Nnibo.
Already, social media users have welcomed the innovation by the young entrepreneurs, with most calling on the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority to Fast track the approval process.