The Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Administration, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, has called on Ghanaians to move beyond slogans and take concrete action in the fight against breast cancer.
Speaking at a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event held at the Jubilee House on Friday, October 31, she emphasized that breast cancer should be treated as both a national health priority and a social equity issue.
“We must resist the temptation of making this theme another slogan because we are losing many friends, loved ones and colleagues to breast cancer,” she said.
Nana Oye urged stronger collaboration among government agencies, health professionals, and civil society to make screening and treatment accessible to all, stressing that early detection is vital.
“According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2022, there were an estimated 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 670,000 deaths globally. However, science has shown that staying proactive about your health and keeping up with recommended screenings are critical for cancer prevention and early detection. In line with our theme, the earlier a cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat, and the better the outcomes are likely to be.”
Nana Oye also highlighted the government’s initiatives under President John Dramani Mahama and Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang aimed at building a healthier population.
She spoke of the Mahama Trust Fund, which covers specialist-level treatments for chronic diseases including breast cancer, and praised the nationwide health screening programmes led by First Lady Lordina Mahama in partnership with the Ghana AIDS Commission.
“Many health initiatives and policies have been introduced to ensure we are empowered to take charge of our health,” she said.
The Deputy Chief of Staff commended survivors, advocates, and medical professionals for their efforts in public education and community outreach, emphasizing the power of knowledge in saving lives.
“Today, we should not only be inspired that there is hope for those who may be battling with this cancer; we must be inspired by the little victory stories to be shared by survivors…To you, our survivors, we stand in compassion and in courage. Let us replace stigma with support, and silence with solidarity.”
She reiterated the importance of public education, preventive screening, and destigmatization as critical pillars in building a healthier Ghana.
“As we commemorate this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let us remember that early detection is not just a medical act; it is an act of love, of courage, and of survival. When we catch it early, we give life a fighting chance; when we treat it right, we restore hope; and when we survive it, we inspire countless others to do the same.”
Nana Oye concluded by urging families, communities, and the nation to commit to regular screening, timely treatment, and unwavering support for those affected, emphasizing that awareness must translate into concrete action to save lives.
“Together, we can turn awareness into action, and action into lives saved.”
