Traditional rulers challenged to leverage influence to care for cancer patients
Goasomanhene has challenged traditional rulers within his jurisdiction to leverage their wide-ranging influence and join the national campaign to care for cancer patients.
Nana Kwasi Bosomprah says the fight against cancer should not be limited to a few individuals like Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai but be treated as a national ‘canker’ that needs concerted efforts by all.
Nana Bosomprah also dispels the notion that cancers are caused by witchcraft and urges his people to visit the hospital if they notice an unusual thing in their breasts.
He appeals to the government to set up cancer treatment centres in the district capitals across Ghana, equipped with the needed resources and logistics needed to support cancer education.
Goasomanhene was speaking at this year’s World Cancer Day at marked at Goaso in the Ahafo region on the theme “Close the care gap.”
Ghana’s version was marked with a mammoth durbar by the Chiefs and people of Goaso under the auspices of Breast Care International (BCI) to highlight awareness, take stock of successes recorded, and plot a path to overcome impediments in the campaign against cancers.
BCI Founder and President, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai says it would take an integrated approach by the Government, NGOs, Private sector and all stakeholders to evolve cancer-reduction strategies aimed at providing greater access to care for the poor and vulnerable.
Dr. Addai, indicates that “cancers in Ghana could be significantly reduced if Charities operating within that space are assisted with adequate resources and logistics to reach the hinterland where the condition is pervasive, due to abject poverty and ignorance.”
She also laments over a 2020 Globocan Cancer Report which estimates that 24,009 new cases of cancer occur annually in Ghana out of which 15,802 die.
The most common cancers, according to the report, are breast, (4,482-2,055), liver, (3,45-3,166) cervix (2,797-1,69), and prostrate (2,129-1,117).
She expresses worry about the surge in cancer cases since 2018, a situation which calls for urgent attention.
Dr. Addai points out that breast cancer is still the leading cause of death among Ghanaian women.
Consultant Urologist, Dr. Samuel Amanamah and Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr. Augustine Tawiah joined the BCI to mark the day and take their turns to freely educate and screen several communities of Breast, Cervical and Prostate cancers, complete with screening for some non-communicable diseases.
“The collaboration with the Goaso Traditional Council and the Ghana NCD Alliance to mark the day is an ample demonstration of the willingness, readiness and commitment of BCI to fight cancers head-on with like-minded institutions,” Dr Addai said.
“We have aligned our common vision and interests to among others, engage more brand ambassadors to go knocking on doors and practically plead with women to step out for our nationwide free cancer public education and screening programs.”
Close to two decades “BCI’s mass public education, advocacy, counseling and survivorship programs have proven to be the most potent weapons against cancers, the challenges notwithstanding, and we are calling on the media and policymakers to extend more airtime, space and resources to the campaign against cancers,” Dr. Addai stressed.
Source: Ghana News
