Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has commended the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) for investing in healthcare and supporting efforts to improve access to cancer diagnosis and treatment in Ghana.
Speaking at the press launch of the ThankYouTeacher National Raffle Campaign, the Vice President praised the Association for creating another opportunity to recognise teachers’ contributions to national development while highlighting the broader benefits of its investments.
“This campaign demonstrates what prudent investment can achieve,” she said.
She noted that GNAT’s investment in the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre was helping to expand cancer diagnosis and treatment services, particularly as the country observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“I particularly acknowledge Mr. Kwame Pianim’s leadership and contribution,” she added.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang stressed that cancer affects patients and their families beyond the immediate medical diagnosis, often placing significant emotional and financial pressure on them.
“A cancer diagnosis can place enormous emotional and financial pressure on individuals and families,” she said.
She welcomed the collaboration between the Sweden Ghana Medical Centre and the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCares, as part of efforts to strengthen access to specialised healthcare.
The Vice President also emphasised the importance of extending specialist medical services beyond Accra to ensure that more Ghanaians can access the care they need.
“Healthcare is about people, and compassion, continuity of care, and affordability matter as much as the infrastructure and technology we invest in,” she said.
While acknowledging government’s central responsibility for healthcare delivery, Professor Opoku-Agyemang said organisations such as GNAT could make meaningful contributions by mobilising resources for the wider public.
“While Government bears central responsibility for healthcare delivery, institutions such as GNAT show how organisations can mobilise resources to benefit those beyond their immediate membership,” she said.
She described the ThankYouTeacher National Raffle Campaign as an appropriate recognition of the teaching profession and its contribution to national development.
“This campaign appropriately recognises a profession whose contribution shapes every other profession,” she said.
