THE Dzidula Pink Foundation on Monday organised a health talk for women of the Hudai Institute to promote breast health awareness and encourage them to take proactive steps towards protecting their health.

The programme, dubbed “Health Talk for the Hudai Ladies,” was held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Chief Imam’s Office at the National Mosque, Kanda, in Accra.

The initiative was aimed at creating greater awareness about breast cancer and encouraging women to take their breast health seriously rather than waiting until symptoms became severe before seeking medical attention.

The event provided participants with expert guidance on breast health, including factors that could increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Speaking at the event, an Oncology Nurse Specialist with the Breast Society of Ghana, Ms Abigail Olympio, said women’s risk of developing breast cancer could be influenced by factors including age, family history and genetics, obesity, smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.

She urged women to know their breasts and understand their normal features, explaining that being familiar with how their breasts normally looked and felt could help them identify unusual changes early.

According to Ms Olympio, breast self-examination was important in helping women identify abnormalities and seek medical attention promptly.

She therefore advised women not to ignore any unusual changes they might notice in their breasts, stressing the need to report such abnormalities to health professionals for proper assessment.

As part of the programme, participants also benefited from free breast health screening and an interactive question-and-answer session, which allowed them to raise concerns and receive professional advice from health experts.

The Founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, Ms Fafa Gozo, said breast cancer was a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women and urged the ladies to be mindful of changes that might occur in their breasts.

Ms Gozo, who is also a breast cancer survivor, shared her survival journey, saying early detection and treatment were vital to saving the lives of breast cancer patients.

She urged women to take their breast health seriously and get screened regularly.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu

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The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has denied allegations that it collected money from applicants in exchange for visas under its tourism promotion programme for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a statement, the Authority said it has taken note of public commentary concerning visa application arrangements linked to the tournament and sought to clarify its role and that of its CEO, Maame Efua Houadjeto.

According to the GTA, the 2026 World Cup was identified as a major opportunity to promote Ghana’s tourism, culture, music, fashion, crafts and creative industries to an international audience. The initiative, it said, was presented to and approved by the Board.

Participants were to include cultural troupes, musicians, exhibitors, media practitioners, tourism industry representatives, staff of the Authority and heads of related agencies.

The GTA said it engaged the United States Embassy and the Canadian High Commission only to seek guidance on visa application requirements and procedures for the participants.

Its role, the Authority stressed, was limited to identifying relevant groups, facilitating institutional introductions and providing guidance on the process.

“At no point did GTA possess the authority to issue visas, guarantee visa approvals or determine the outcomes of individual applications. These decisions rested exclusively with the respective diplomatic and immigration authorities,” the statement noted.

On payments, the Authority explained that it initially explored private-sector sponsorship to support participants, but the financial requirements proved impracticable. As a result, participants were informed they would be responsible for their own visa fees, travel and accommodation expenses, and independently engaged travel agents for arrangements.

“The Ghana Tourism Authority unequivocally denies collecting money from any applicant in return for visas or visa opportunities. I also categorically deny that I solicited, received, or authorized payments for the purpose of securing visas,” CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto stated.

The Authority also clarified its inclusion of non-traditional media, noting that modern tourism promotion extends beyond conventional journalists to bloggers, influencers, content creators, photographers and videographers.

“The professional relevance of participants should be assessed against their intended functions and promotional responsibilities rather than exclusively against conventional journalism classifications,” it said.

The CEO added that her involvement was in discharge of her official duties and in furtherance of the Authority’s mandate, denying any personal involvement in visa sales.

The GTA said it remains committed to transparency, responsible administration and protecting public confidence while advancing Ghana’s tourism and creative industries.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme