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Dr. Doris Dartey’s first anniversary ….family launches two books in her memory
The family of the late Dr. Doris Yaa Dartey has launched two books to mark the first anniversary of the passing of the renowned journalist.
The books titled “The Watch Woman” and “When Breast Cancer Strikes” were launched last Wednesday in Accra.
“The Watch Woman” is a compilation of features and articles written by the late Dr. Dartey during the 12-years that she wrote in The Spectator newspaper as columnist. The book focuses on issues pertaining to the environment, sanitation, health, children, gender, politics, economics, and human rights.”
“When Breast Cancer Strikes,” on the other hand recounts Dr Dartey’s six years personal experience with breast cancer.
In a review, Dr Lord Mawuko Yevugah, a political economist, described “The Watch Woman” as “an important addition to the repertoire of social, political and economic history of this country and a very useful reference for future historians and people who would wish to capture contemporary issues for posterity.”
Dr Florence Dedey, a Surgeon commended the book “When Breast Cancer Strikes” as it, among other things, campaigns for seeking early diagnosis and regular breast screening among other for achieving the fight against breast cancer.
Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC), Mr Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh, who launched the book “The Watch Woman” described the late Dr Dartey “as bold and assertive and an exceptional writer”, and charged journalists to follow the steps of the author to excel in their journalism field.
Mr Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), touched on the polarisation of the media landscape in the country and advised practitioners to perform their functions devoid of partisan politics.
“The best tribute Ghanaian journalists can pay to Dr. Dartey is to let her qualities nourish their journalistic output at all times.
“The GJA would do all it can to immortalise Dr Dartey’s name for her abosulte fidelity to the fundamental principles of journalism and titanium tenacity to cause of social activism.” he said.
He further challenged the media community to produce more seasoned journalists like the “iconic” Dr Dartey.
Former Editor of Ghanaian Times and former President of the GJA, Ms Ajoa Yeboah-Afari launched the second book “When Breast Cancer Strikes” and called on women to periodically go for checkups to ensure they were always at the peak of the stable health conditions.
Mr Kwasi Djan Apenteng, Board Member of the Doris Dartey Foundation, pledged to personally fund a ‘Doris Dartey Award’ for the best student journalist in features writing in subsequent GJA awards.
The chairperson for the occasion, Madam Elizabeth Adjei, former Director General of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) said that the late Dr Doris Dartey was an extraordinary journalist, who was dedicated to serving her country through her writings.
Three copies of each book were auctioned at GH₵6,600.00 and the proceeds donated to The Doris Dartey Foundation. The books are available at local bookshops across the country for GH¢200 for ‘The Watchwoman’ and GH¢100 for ‘When Breast Cancer Strikes’.
By Portia Hutton-Mills
The Dzidula Pink Foundation, a new organisation dedicated to cancer awareness, early detection, and patient support, has been officially launched in Accra, with a passionate call for national commitment to fighting the disease. The launch event, held last week Friday, carried the theme: “Beyond the diagnosis: A future of restoration, care and courage.”
Speaking at the event, Madam Abena Brigidi, founder and CEO of Nimed Capital Limited, emphasised that cancer remains one of the most devastating health challenges facing families across the country. “Cancer does not discriminate—it affects mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. It drains families emotionally and financially, and behind every statistic is a human story and a future suddenly thrown into uncertainty,” she said.
Sharing her personal encounters with cancer, having lost both her husband and father to the disease, Madam Brigidi highlighted the emotional, financial, and physical scars left behind. “I stand here not just as a speaker, but as a witness to what cancer can take away,” she stated. “I have watched loved ones fight bravely, and I have felt the deep pain that loss leaves behind.”
She stressed that awareness and early detection are critical to reducing deaths, noting that many Ghanaians still lack access to proper screening, reliable information, and adequate treatment. She appealed to healthcare professionals, corporate institutions, policymakers, the media, and the general public to join hands in the fight. “Early detection saves lives. Your support today can lead to someone’s healing tomorrow,” she said.
Madam Brigidi further called for collective responsibility to sustain the foundation’s mission. “To our medical professionals, we need your expertise. To corporate partners, your resources. To the media, your voice. To policymakers, your support. And to the public, your compassion,” she urged. She also insisted that breast cancer awareness should not be limited to annual campaigns, saying, “Breast cancer awareness must not be seasonal.”
Mrs Diana Fafa Gozo, founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, shared her own cancer journey, describing the shock of diagnosis, the fear that followed, and the difficult path through treatment. Her experience transformed her pain into purpose and inspired her to create a foundation to ensure no cancer patient walks alone.
Mrs Gozo explained that many patients struggle not only with treatment costs but also with emotional resilience. She outlined the foundation’s initiatives, which include awareness and early detection campaigns, patient support funds, community outreach, and survival support circles. “This foundation is my offering of gratitude, courage, and compassion and a reminder that no one should walk the cancer journey alone,” she concluded.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it will deploy teams of Public Health Officers, members of its Sanitation Taskforce, and labourers, including sweepers and janitors, across all sub-metros to support the third National Sanitation Day exercise.
It explained that these teams will be equipped with waste collection trucks, tippers, and other tools to help with desilting, refuse collection, and transporting waste to approved disposal sites.
The AMA reminded residents that failing to comply with the sanitation directive or refusing to participate in communal labour is an offence.
It said offenders risk a fine of up to 100 penalty units, imprisonment between 30 days and six months, or both, with repeat offenders liable to additional daily penalties.
It urged all residents, traders, transport operators, market women, shop owners, landlords, tenants, and businesses to actively participate in the exercise.
The AMA said it counts on everyone’s collective responsibility to keep Accra clean, liveable, and resilient, especially as the city approaches Christmas and the New Year.
By: Jacob Aggrey
