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Ghana on track to eliminate cervical cancer – MSD Director
Mr Zweli Bashman(inset) addressing Stakeholders at the programme
The Managing Director of Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa, Mr Zweli Bashman has expressed confidence in Ghana’s efforts towards the elimination of the deadly cervical cancer.
According to Mr Bashman, the collaborative efforts by stakeholders including government, private sector and health practitioners in Ghana was a step in the right direction towards eliminating the disease and its associated deaths.
“I am impressed with the collaborative nature of all the stakeholders including private sector players, healthcare practitioners and government. With the kind of collaborative leadership, I am convinced that Ghana is on its way to eliminate cervical cancer,” he stressed.
He was speaking on the sidelines of Africa Health Business Women’s Symposium held in Accra under the theme “Establishing Sustainability in Cervical Cancer Prevention, Screening and Care in Ghana.”
The event organised by MSD, a global health care company formed part of efforts and journey towards cervical cancer elimination on the continent.
“Cervical cancer is the most deadly cancer on the continent and the sad thing is that it is preventable. Hence there has been a lot of focus by the World Health Organisation (WHO) through private partnerships, government, policy makers and other stakeholders to ensure its prevention,” he said.
Consequently, he announced that there would soon be the introduction of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme in Ghana next year which would help in the prevention.
“Ghana currently has HPV incidence of 3000 per annum which means that 3000 women are diagnosed of cervical cancer every year. Of the number, 60 percent would pass away which is a staggering figure considering that this is a preventable disease. The vaccination programme would, however, help reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and the mortality rate significantly,” he explained.
“The rollout would be next year and would provide enough time to government to ensure an effective rollout particularly in the space of social mobilisation, healthcare awareness and education for communities and practitioners,” he stressed.
He also called on male partner involvement to support the prevention of cervical cancer in Ghana as it also affects men in various ways.
“There is the assumption that HPV causes cancer in women alone but that is not entirely true. It also causes cancer in men including hidden neck cancers and anal cancers, hence it is important for men to participate in that learning process with their partners and get vaccinated as well,” he added.
To achieve the elimination agenda, it must involve vaccinating adolescents between nine and 14, all gender neutral vaccination as well as adults.
“There is a high degree of prevalence and mortality rate and everyone must be involved in the education and preventive measures,” he stated.
“We all need to come on board. The government must put in place structures that would enable people to get screened, advocacy groups and manufacturers to continue investing in research and development while healthcare consumers exhibit early health-seeking behaviour to ensure that we are not dealing with late stage cancers,” he explained.
Across the continent, he said, they were looking forward to having 80 to 90 per cent of the population having a viable and effective vaccination rollout.
The programme brought together stakeholders within the health sector in the country and beyond to discuss collaborative efforts towards the elimination of cervical cancer in Africa.
Stories By Michael D. Abayateye
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Health Minister leads delegation Mimi Darko’s appointment as AMA Director General
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister for Health and Member of Parliament has led a delegation to secure the appointment of Dr Delese Mimi Darko, Chief Executive Officer of the Food and Drugs Authority, as the Director General of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) during the ongoing 2nd Ordinary Session of the Conference of State Parties in Kigali, Rwanda.
This prestigious appointment, achieved through a competitive process, marks a proud and historic moment for Ghana and the entire continent.
It highlights Dr. Darko’s exceptional leadership, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to enhancing public health and regulatory systems across Africa.
The Minister expressed his deep appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his strong support and leadership throughout this process.
Mr.Akandoh congratulated Dr. Mimi Darko and Team Ghana for their incredibly successful campaign.
The AMA was established by the African Union on November 5, 2021, with the primary objective of improving access to quality, safe, and effective medical products throughout the continent. Its creation aims to facilitate the regulation and oversight of essential medicines at a continental level while promoting collaboration among African countries and regions.
The Agency’s mission is to provide leadership in creating an enabling regulatory environment for the pharmaceutical sector in Africa, ensuring that the African population has access to essential medical products and technologies.
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Police arrest five suspects involved in robbery cases in Ashanti Region
The Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) in the Ashanti Region has informed the public about a recent breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in the Denchemuoso District.
Following a series of robbery incidents in the area, on April 22, 2025, PID/Ashanti operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Michael Owusu Ansah, alias Baby Last, aged 32.
The suspect had been on the police wanted list since 2016 in connection with a robbery and the murder of Police Officer G/Cpl Frank Essel of SWAT/Ashanti, which occurred at the Open Space Hotel in Denchemuoso on May 19, 2016.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to engaging in multiple street and residential robberies in Denchemuoso, Atwima-Techiman, Asuoyeboah, and surrounding areas.
He also disclosed that his gang operated with knives, pistols, and pump-action guns.
Further investigations led to the identification and arrest of his accomplices, namely:Emmanuel Owusu, alias Cassidy, Maxwell Gyimah, alias Nana Kwame, Sudais Oxford Ntiamoah, alias The Man Sudais and Rhano Okyere, alias Demon
These individuals were arrested from their hideouts within Atwima-Techiman and Denchemuoso.
However, one suspect, remains at large and efforts are underway to apprehend him and recover the weapons used in the robberies.
All five arrested suspects were arraigned before the Atasomanso Circuit Court on May 13, 2025.
They were remanded into police custody and are scheduled to reappear on June 4, 2025.
