Gender
Breast cancer in men real, get screened …Male survivor shares his story
Mr Arthur
Breast cancer, a disease commonly associated with women, affects men too. Despite being relatively rare among men, male breast cancer accounts for approximately one per cent of all breast cancer cases.
Mr Abaeku Arthur, a retired Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) employee, shares his story of resilience and survival after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.
Journey
Mr Arthur’s breast cancer journey began with a complaint to a surgeon friend about the size of his breast and how uncomfortable he feels whenever he wears a T-shirt.
He said, “I feel uncomfortable any time I wear a T-shirt mainly because, female friends would usually play with my breast.”
Also, Mr Arthur said he would usually see blood stains on his bed sheet but attributed them to mosquito bites.
His friend and surgeon at The Trust Hospital suggested a surgical procedure to reduce the size of his breast. The surgery was successful, but the real surprise came when the tissues were sent to the lab for analysis.
The results revealed a shocking diagnosis: breast cancer in his left breast.
“I was unaware men could get breast cancer,” Mr Arthur admitted. “I thought it was exclusively a women’s disease.”
Treatment/Recovery
Abaeku underwent a second surgery at the same hospital, this time specifically targeting the cancer. The procedure involved cutting from his chest to his armpit. He then proceeded to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for chemotherapy and radiation.
He said due to the effects of the chemotherapy, he lost all the hairs on his body and unlike some women whose menstrual cycles cease as a result, Mr Abaeku Arthur said “ it did not affect me in any way, I am still strong.”
Family Support
His family was devastated by the news, but he reassured them, “It’s God’s will.” They stood by him throughout his treatment, providing all the support and encouragement needed during the period.
Awareness/ Advocacy
Mr Arthur who turned 70 years this week said before undergoing the surgery for breast cancer, he vowed to create awareness about male breast cancer.
His aim was to demystify the notion that men with big breasts had breast cancer. However, he stressed on the need for screening anytime they experienced anything unusual with the breast.
He emphasised on the need for screening in order to detect it early; saying “early detection is key. I have survived for 17 years, and I am still strong.”
Statistics
Male breast cancer accounts approximately for one per cent of all breast cancer cases.
However, stigma and lack of awareness surrounding the disease seems to have prevented men from seeking medical attention.
In Ghana, according to the National Centre for Radiotherapy, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), male breast cancers accounts for 2.9 per cent of all breast cancers seen, consistent with the slightly higher rates reported in other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer registry shows that 93.7 per cent of male breast cancers are ductal carcinomas, 2.6 per cent papillary, 1.8 per cent mucinous and 1.5 per cent are lobular carcinoma.
Also the centre said 80 to 90 per cent of male breast cancers are estrogen receptor positive, and 65- 90 per cent are progesterone receptor positive.
According to the centre, most common presenting symptoms in male breast cancer are painless sub-areolar lump, nipple retraction and bleeding from the nipple.
The centre also noted that, generally, management strategies of male breast cancer are the same as females as no prospective randomised trials have been conducted to establish treatment protocols in men.
It mentioned that breast conservation in males may be a challenge due to difficulties in obtaining negative margins resulting in a high rate of upfront radical mastectomies performed.
Conclusion
The story of Mr Abaeku Arthur is about how both men and women were at risk of having breast cancer and how important it is to check it and not ignore the little signs on the breast.
It is equally important for men to know they are not immune to breast cancer and the need to break down the barriers and encourage open discussions.
Also education of patients, families and health providers will increase awareness of male breast cancer, ensuring early presentation, prompt referral or early diagnosis, treatment and improved survival.
Mr Abaeku Arthur’s 17-year journey as a male breast cancer survivor serves as a testament to resilience and determination.
His story inspires others to prioritise their health and seek medical attention when the need be.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Gender
Parents urged to provide moral guidance to help children transition to adulthood
North Hill International School (NIS), a basic school situated at North Legon in Accra has held its 6th Speech and Prize-Giving Day with a call on parents and guardians to provide the needed moral guidance and support for children to become responsible and disciplined adults in society.
The Guest Speaker for the occasion, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State and Government Communication who made the call in a speech read on his behalf, said this stage was crucial for children to learn values that enable them become responsible members of the family unit, their immediate environment and the country at large.
Themed: “Discipline- The bridge between dreams and reality” the event saw 36 learners in total graduating comprising primary and lower secondary.
Master Vielung Kwadwo Bagbin, son of Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, emerged overall best student.
Mr Ofosu said their formative stage was an age where good habits, behaviours and characters were built which lay a solid foundation for their lives.
In an address, the Principal of the School, Mrs Emma Coleman Opoku, said the school reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence as demonstrated by the outstanding performance of pupils in the 2025 Cambridge Checkpoint Examinations.
She described the outcome as result of tireless efforts from passionate teachers, the determination and diligence of pupils and the support of parents.
Over the years, she said, NIS has made remarkable strides in the Basic Education Certificate Examinations, consistently raising academic standards and producing outstanding results.
According to her, last year, the school recorded exceptional achievements including ten grade ones with two pupils attaining eight grade ones and another achieving six grade ones.
“Despite these successes, we have observed a decline in interest and enrollment in the GES curriculum,” she said.
The Principal indicated that, after careful examination and in light of current enrollment figures, the school has decided to suspend the GES curriculum temporarily.
On her part, the General Manager of the school, Mrs Bernice Adu Boateng, expressed gratitude to teachers for their dedication and professionalism and the invaluable role of parents which has brought the school thus far.
Come September, she said the school would roll out digital boards to complement the use of projectors and desktops in every classroom to infuse the use of technology to enhance facilitator-learner activities.
In a Global Perspective Project titled, “ Acting on Poverty and Inequality “, Year 7 pupils of the school raised an amount of GH₵17,530 to support the cause and donated used personal effects to Potter’s Village.
The Administrator and Human Resources Manager of the school, Mrs. Bertha Boamah Benin, expressed profound appreciation to companies and individuals that supported the event.
By Francis Cofie
Gender
Take control of your financial future …female students urged
Mrs. Janet Acheampong Otoo, Treasurer of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), has urged young women to take control of their financial future by embracing literacy, confidence, and purposeful planning.
Speaking at the university’s Financial Literacy Summit over the weekend, she emphasized that “money is power” and that women must be empowered with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions.
The summit, organised by the Student Representative Council, was held under the theme “Financial Fitness: Building wealth and securing your future.”
Mrs Acheampong Otoo explained that financial literacy was more than budgeting—”it encompasses saving, investing, and managing debt”.
However, she noted that many women still struggle due to a confidence gap that hinders their ability to create and follow effective financial plans.
“Financial independence is about freedom, confidence, and the ability to pursue your dreams,” she said. “As women, we have the power to shape our own futures and contribute meaningfully to society and family life.”
She encouraged female students to attend workshops, read widely, and avoid impulsive spending on beauty and lifestyle. “Every financial decision should align with your long-term vision,” she added. “Believe in yourself. Lead the charge.”
Joining the conversation, the Municipal Chief Executive of Sekyere South, Mr Evans Amo Twumasi, called financial literacy one of the most overlooked foundations in nation-building.
“In today’s world, the line between economic survival and financial freedom is drawn not by luck but by knowledge and discipline,” Mr Amo said. “Money may be finite, but knowledge is infinite—and financial discipline is the bridge between them.”
He stressed that financial fitness was not just about saving or spending, but understanding the value of a cedi, the cost of each decision, and the power of forward planning. With the right mindset and habits, he said, anyone can achieve economic resilience and long-term success.
Mr Amo urged students to embrace financial education as a tool for personal transformation and national progress. “The future does not belong to those who merely wish for wealth—it belongs to those who plan it, save it, and work for it,” he said.
He also called for policies that strengthen entrepreneurship and youth empowerment and encouraged students to respect money and use it with purpose.
Other speakers included Dr Evans Duah, Dr Prince Gyimah and Prof. Joseph Mbawuni, all lecturers at the University.
From Kingsley E. Hope
