First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, says one key strategy towards effective management and control of the increasing cases of all forms of cancer in Ghana will be the adoption of the public-private partnership policy that would help to put in place the needed infrastructure to cater for detection and treatment of reported and emerging cases.
She noted that government’s commitment towards addressing challenges in the management and treatment of cancer cases at healthcare facilities including the provision of the required resources is being undermined by the need to give equal attention to comprehensive healthcare at all levels.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo made the point in Kumasi at the commemoration of the 2019 World Cancer Day.
Kumasi hosted this year’s the World Cancer Day cerebration for the first time on the theme: “I am I Will” following the selection of the city by the Union of International Cancer Control, UICC, in November 2017 as the 4th in the World and Africa’s first Cancer City Challenge Project.
In attendance was the President of the UICC, Her Royal Highness Dina Mired – Princess of Jordan, and participated by students, traditional leaders, representatives from the Christian and Muslim clergy among other groups.
The Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi, assured that with the availability of first class healthcare facilities such as the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital which now has a Cancer Registry, the city of Kumasi is bound to be the preferred point for cancer management.
He pledged the commitment of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, the political and traditional leadership of the city towards making Ghana the fore runner in the fight against, and management of cancers in Africa.
The Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang Manu, stressed the need for increased advocacy to drum home signs, symptoms, treatment and management services available in the country to encourage early reporting of cases.
