AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi mine, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the AGA Health Foundation, GIZ, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation and others, has successfully concluded a month-long breast and prostate cancer awareness campaigns in its host communities, with a grand durbar and mini-clinic at Fomena.
Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo, Senior Manager Community Relations Africa of AngloGold Ashanti, expressed his profound gratitude to the various partners for their support towards the programme. He also thanked nananom, officials of the various assemblies in Adansi, assembly members, doctors, and the entire Fomena community for gracing the occasion.
Mr. Baidoo outlined some of the interventions AngloGold was putting in place to improve the lives of the people in its host communities, and mentioned the upgrading of the Anyinam Clinic to a Health Centre, the construction of a health centre for the people of Dokyiwa and Binsere, the upgrading of the Akrokerri Health Centre into a hospital, the construction of a Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Compound at Apitikoko, and the construction of a Health Centre at Akaporiso.
Mr. Baidoo added that through the Obuasi Community Trust Fund, the Obuasi mine constructed a maternity block for the government hospital which had reportedly led to zero maternal related fatalities.
The Medical Superintendent of the Adansi North District Hospital, Dr. Mrs. Abena Konadu Yawson, mentioned adopting a healthy lifestyle, avoiding risks factors, early detection through breast screening, self-breast screening, yearly mammogram from age 40 ,and attending hospital once every three years for a medical doctor or a nurse to examine one’s breast as some of the ways to prevent breast cancer.
Nana Nyantakyiwa Amoako Asare, Obuasi Gauso Obaapanin, who is a breast cancer survivor, recounted how at age 22 she was diagnosed as having the disease, and the ordeal she went through.
She encouraged women to have the courage to go for breast screening, noting that early detection saves lives.
Nana Nyantakyiwa Amoako Asare called on the government to try as much as possible to provide all regional and district hospitals with mammograms to help detection of breast cancer.
From Fredrick Danso Abeam, Fomena
