The 12th edition of Ghana’s Walk for Cancer cure has been launched to create awareness that Cancer is curable and that nobody should die of Breast Cancer.
The walk is slated to take place at Ejisu, in the Ashanti region, on October 10, 2024 under the theme: “Together We Can Change the Narrative about Cancer in Africa”.
The organisers are tapping from the vast experience of academia, researchers, data analysts and medical experts for a common framework to overcome a disease, which has taken a life of its own, compounding already precarious health care systems across poverty endemic Africa.
Starting from the Ejisuman Senior High School, the traditionally charged participants would briskly cover the 5-kilometer distance to the Okese Park, where an array of seasoned Speakers will variously address them on health issues, interspersed with cultural and waist wriggling songs performed by the industry’s best.
According to Mrs. Beatrice Addai, President of Breast Care International (BCI) about 2,300 women out of 5,000 women die of the Breast Cancer annually.
The BCI President noted that the fight against Breast Cancer is a collective effort for every individual, corporate organizations and policy makers.
Mrs. Addai disclosed that the historic Ashanti regional town of Ejisu, famous for its bravery and pre-colonial war heroism is yet to win another fight against “Breast cancer”.
In what could best pass for a repeat of history, the lead protagonist of the “current war”, which is against breast cancer, is the renowned breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, who is drawing inspiration from leadership of Oguakro Afranie Okese, Ejisumanhene and Nana Yaa Asantewaa II, Ejisumanhemaa to galvanise women in the country to win another war through advocacy, public education, free countrywide screening, seminars and workshops to create public awareness about the debilitating effects of breast cancer on women and the economy.
Dr. Wiafe, who is also the CEO of Peace And Love Hospital, challenged women to “defy the odds stacked against them, shed cultural stereotypes and imbibe the values of resilience and fortitude in the long walk to freedom from breast cancer and other opportunistic diseases.
She commended the media and other corporate organisations including Banks, Insurance firms, Hotels and other industries for their support over the years in educating and sensitising women and the general public.
Mr. Alex Tetteh, Member of Parliament for Akontombra in the Western region and Deputy Majority leader of Parliament commended Mrs. Wiafe Addai for the effort to cure cancer patients.
He called for the support of the society and urged individuals and policy makers to support her, because nation building is not one person’s responsibility.
The MP also entreated politicians to desist from politicizing health issues in a country.
