News
KNUST initiates the Africa Breast Cancer Screening Study
Researchers at the College of Health Sciences of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), have commenced studies into efforts to advance cancer prevention, early detection and health equity in Africa.
The study, dubbed “Africa Breast Cancer Screening” (ABCS), which is being carried out in partnership with the College of Science, will look at the association between metabolic syndrome, the gut microbiome and breast cancer risk
The study will also look at the individual parameters of metabolic syndrome, which will be performed by screening many women and find out if they have breast cancer, the stage and the type and screen them for the risk factor of metabolic syndrome, analysis and their interrelationships.
Chosen cross-sectional study sites in Ghana will be the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Breast Center, Tamale Teaching Hospital Breast Center, Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi, Western Regional Hospital, Effia Nkwanta, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Oncology Department and the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
Professor Reginald Annan, the Principal Investigator and a Professor of Public Health Nutrition at the KNUST, at the Study’s Inception meeting, said later studies will be conducted in other African countries for informed decisions on breast cancer.
The study will also look at the individual parameters of metabolic syndrome, which will be performed by screening many women and find out if they have breast cancer, the stage and the type and screen them for the risk factor of metabolic syndrome, analysis and their interrelationships.
Prof. Annan said there was little or no study in Africa on cancer and nutrition and this was the first study to delve into the disease’s prevalence.
Breast cancer remained a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa with increasing incidence and a challenging burden on healthcare systems. He said the incidence of especially, triple negative breast cancer, an aggressive subtype of breast cancer tends to be higher among women of African descent.
However, through early detection, awareness creation and access to screening services, a significant impact could be made on lives. Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson, the Vice-Chancellor, KNUST, commended the World Cancer Research Fund for funding the study and the dedicated researchers from the KNUST for leading the transformative work.
The VC said the study was a significant milestone in researchers’ collective efforts to advance cancer prevention and improve health attention of the disease in Africa. Prof. Dickson indicated that the findings from the research would not only enhance breast cancer screening efforts in Ghana but also set precedent for other African nations to follow.
She said the KNUST was deeply committed to becoming a leading research-intensive institution, driving innovation and scientific discovery that addressed pressing global and regional challenges. GNA
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
