The Office of the President, on Friday, October 31, held a commemorative event at the Jubilee House in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, under the theme: “Catch it Early, Treat it Right, and Survive it.”
The event brought together policymakers, health professionals, Presidential Staffers, Officers at the office of the President, advocates, and survivors to reaffirm Ghana’s national commitment to early detection, equitable treatment, and continuous public education on breast cancer.
Delivering the keynote address, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff, Admin emphasised that the fight against breast cancer must move beyond awareness to action and access.
She described breast cancer as a national health priority and a social equity issue, urging collaboration across government and civil society to make screening and treatment accessible to all.
“We must resist the temptation of making this theme another slogan because we are losing many friends, loved ones and colleagues to breast cancer.”
Addo also highlighted the government’s continued commitment to building a healthier population under the estimated leadership of President Mahama and Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang’s leadership, citing key initiatives such as the Mahama Trust Fund for chronic disease treatment (including breast cancer).
She also highlighted Her Excellency Lordina Mahama’s nationwide health screening outreaches, in partnership with Ghana AIDS Commission. She reaffirmed that these efforts demonstrate Ghana’s dedication to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases such as breast cancer by 2030.
She commended Ghanaian women and men who continue to lead advocacy and community outreach, adding that empowering people with knowledge is the first step toward reducing breast cancer mortality nationwide.
Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, Deputy Minister of Health highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening early detection systems and improving cancer care services across the country.
She reiterated that public education, preventive screening, and destigmatisation are critical pillars in building a healthier Ghana.
“Our goal is to make early detection routine, not rare,” Dr. Ayensu-Danquah noted. “Under the esteemed leadership of his Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, we remain committed to equipping our systems to fight against breast cancer.”
The programme also featured powerful insights from medical professionals, Dr. John Yaw Antwi and Dr. Cynthia Amissah, who digitally demonstrated proper breast self-examination techniques, discussed preventive strategies and treatment options, and to normalise self-examination and regular check-ups.
They cautioned that myths and fear often delay treatment and encouraged open conversations about breast health across communities.
Equally moving were the survivor stories, moderated by Lily Mohammed, Senior Broadcaster at EIB Network. The survivors’ testimonies echoed a unifying message: that early detection and timely care save lives. One survivor recounted how a routine check-up led to her survival, while another described finding purpose and strength after recovery, both calling on others to “check early and never lose hope.”
“I am alive today because I checked early,” one survivor shared. “No one should wait until it’s too late to know.”
“Let this not end as an October conversation,” another survivor urged. “Let us carry this message into every home, every school, and every workplace, because saving lives begins with speaking up, checking early, and treating right.”
The commemoration concluded with a strong collective message: that breast cancer awareness must extend beyond October, becoming a sustained national movement for prevention, compassion, and healing.
Source:Lovinghananews.com
