The Underground Mining Alliance (UMA), a contractor of AngloGold Ashanti operating in Obuasi has extended a sensitisation programme on breast and prostate cancer to tailors and seamstresses in Obuasi.
The participants of the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association in Obuasi were taken through prevention and treatment of breast and prostate cancer by health professionals from AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation (AGAHF).
There was also Free Breast and Prostate cancer screening for over 500 people who participated in the sensitization programme, which formed part of activities to commemorate the 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The global theme for 2024 Breast Cancer Awareness Month was dubbed: “No One Should Face Breast Cancer Alone”.
Mr Phillipe Pearse, Project manager of UMA, said the company decided to involve Seamstresses and Tailors because of the wide range of people they interact with in the course of their operations.
According to him, they deliberately chose members of the GTDA for the education programme because they want them to extend the education to their clients who they meet on a regular basis.
He noted that they believe once the education gets down, a lot of misconceptions surrounding breast cancer especially, will be cured, while people will opt for screening for early detection.
He mentioned that Underground Mining Alliance views such education and screening exercises as a useful way of giving back to the communities in which they operate, emphasising that the company received an award years back for a community project in Botswana.
Mr Pearse said his parents survived both breast and prostate cancer because of early detection, the reason why the company decided to organise the sensitisation and free screening programme.
Mr. Lawrence Turkson, National project manager UMA, emphasised the importance of regular screening since early detection of breast and prostate cancer could help in the successful treatment of the disease.
Mr. Turkson, explained that the company would continue to give back to the community as a fulfillment of its corporate social responsibility.
Dr Bernadette Serwaah Osei Kuffour, a Senior Medical officer of AngloGold Ashanti Health Foundation, stated that though a lot of strides have been made in the fight against breast and prostate cancer over the years, lack of awareness creation has been key in hampering the fight.
She said lack of adequate information about the diseases have given way for a lot of misconceptions to fester, and that they have not been hugely successful in the fight because of insufficient awareness.
He lauded Underground Mining Alliance for leading the conversation around the diseases and expressed optimism that the education would go a long way to encourage people to opt for early detection.
Madam Irene Aba Austin, the chairperson of Zone 3 of the Obuasi chapter of the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association also commended UMA for the programme.
She said the nature of their job makes it difficult for them to go through routine breast cancer screening, but advised members to get screened when there is an opportunity.
