Gender
Data on awareness, late presentation of breast cancer cases worrying — Frimpong-Manso Institute
Rev Prof Paul Frimpong-Manso
The Frimpong-Manso Institute has described as worrying prevailing data showing the gap in awareness and late presentation of cases at healthcare facilities by breast cancer patients.
It said most women in Ghana present breast cancer at advanced stages (III or IV), largely due to lack of awareness, cultural beliefs (beliefs in traditional medicine) and limited access to healthcare facilities.
In a statement copied to The Spectator, it stated that the delay in the detection and treatment of breast cancer had greatly reduced the survival rates of patients, adding that the high cost of diagnosis and treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy presents a significant barrier for many women.
It said even though the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana covers some aspects of cancer care, there persists a significant gap in financing the management of the condition.
It said breast cancer was a significant public health concern in Ghana, as it is in many parts of the world with ongoing efforts to improve detection, treatment and survival outcomes.
According to the Institute, in 2020, the Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimated that Ghana reported around 4,600 new cases of breast cancer, with a mortality rate of approximately 2,055 deaths annually.
“This type of cancer continues to be the most commonly diagnosed among women with increasing incidence due to several factors, including lifestyle changes, urbanisation and improved detection methods,” it added.
It said in Ghana, breast cancer tends to affect younger women with many cases diagnosed in women under 50, unlike women in developed countries.
On treatment, options for breast cancer patients in Ghana include surgery, chemotherapy and somewhat limited radiotherapy and hormonal therapies saying there was growing recognition of the need for palliative care, especially for patients with advanced-stage cancer.
Notwithstanding, it said, there were still ongoing efforts to improve care for breast cancer patients.
“Both government and NGOs continue to engage communities on awareness of the disease through media campaigns and community outreach programmes,” it added.
It added that efforts were being made to train healthcare professionals, improve diagnostic tools, and build infrastructure geared towards breast cancer care.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, a Deputy Chief of Staff, has called for sustained legal and institutional reforms to address gender biases within Ghana’s justice system.
She urged women lawyers to build on the legacy of trailblazers who have shaped the country’s legal landscape.
Madam Bampoe Addo made the call at the maiden Biennial Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Women’s Forum, organised in collaboration with the Ghana School of Law in Accra on Tuesday.
The event was on the theme: “The role of women lawyers in national development: honouring trailblazers.”
Madam Bampoe Addo said the progress made by women in the legal profession was not accidental but the result of years of struggle, sacrifice and determination.
She paid tribute to early trailblazers such as Matilda Foster and Annie Jiagge, saying their achievements broke barriers and opened doors for generations of women lawyers.
She commended the contributions of female judicial leaders, including Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Mrs Sophia Akuffo, and Mrs Gertrude Torkornoo, whose leadership reflected the growing influence of women in Ghana’s judiciary.
Women lawyers had made significant contributions across multiple sectors, including the courtroom, academia, policy development, civil society advocacy and community engagement.
Madam Bampoe Addo noted that their efforts had advanced gender equality, strengthened institutions and improved access to justice in the country.
She expressed concern about the persistent gender biases within the justice system, particularly in some judicial pronouncements that could undermine the dignity of women.
The courts, she noted, must not only deliver justice but must also communicate it in a manner that upheld respect and fairness for all parties.
“There is undervaluation of women’s unpaid domestic labour, including caregiving responsibilities, which are often overlooked in legal determinations, especially in matrimonial cases,” she added.
She called for a more progressive and context-sensitive approach to adjudication, drawing on comparative jurisprudence from other jurisdictions to ensure fairness and equity.
Madam Bampoe Addo urged legal practitioners and judges to build on progressive legal precedents and ensure that Ghana’s legal system evolved to reflect contemporary social realities.
She emphasised the importance of mentorship and inclusivity, encouraging women in leadership to create opportunities for others and support the next generation of female lawyers.
She called on young women to pursue legal careers with confidence, adding that the profession offered vast opportunities to contribute to national development.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Donkor, the Director-General of CID, said women lawyers played indispensable roles in shaping Ghana’s legal and governance systems.
They had excelled in various fields and occupied key leadership positions, contributing to policy reforms and championing justice for vulnerable groups, she added.
COP Donkor paid tribute to trailblazing women lawyers whose achievements continued to inspire and motivate younger generations to strive for excellence.
She urged students and young practitioners to go beyond academic successes and embrace the broader mission of promoting justice, fairness and societal transformation.
She encouraged more women lawyers to consider careers in the Ghana Police Service, describing law enforcement as a critical area where legal expertise was needed to strengthen justice delivery.
She commended the organisers of the conference for the success, saying it would encourage the next generation of women lawyers to continue to make significant contributions to Ghana’s development. – GNA
The Dzidula Pink Foundation has engaged expectant mothers on cervical cancer at a recent pregnancy clinic held at St Gregory Hospital, Budumburam in the Awutu Senya East District.
The engagement formed part of its advocacy on early cancer detection to safeguard maternal health.
It also formed part of the foundation’s broader mission to raise awareness about cancers affecting women, particularly at a time when many may be least likely to consider screening especially pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Addressing a gathering of pregnant women at the clinic, the president of the foundation, Ms Fafa Gozo, highlighted a worrying trend where a significant number of women are diagnosed with cancer around the time of delivery.
This, she noted, often results from delayed screening and limited awareness about the importance of early detection.
She educated the women about the need to prioritise their health by undertaking timely cancer screening, even while navigating the demands of pregnancy.
She reiterated that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality.
“Pregnancy should not be a reason to delay screening. In fact, it is a critical period where heightened awareness can save lives,” Ms Gozo said.
The engagement also created a platform for open dialogue, allowing the expectant mothers to ask questions, share concerns, and receive guidance from health professionals present at the clinic.
Health experts at the facility echoed the foundation’s message, underscoring that routine checks and screenings, when done early, can lead to timely interventions and better health outcomes for both mother and child.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
