News
Incorporate oncology education in nursing training – Dr Wiafe Addai
Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Breast Care International, has emphasised the pressing need to incorporate oncology education into standard nursing training to improve breast cancer care across Ghana.
“We are advocating a change of the curriculum of the nursing training schools in the country so that many oncology concerns can be added to their training schedules,” Dr Wiafe Addai stated.
She made the call during the opening of a two-day basic oncology training workshop at the Peace and Love Hospital in Kumasi for journalists, selected from the Eastern Region.
She emphasised a critical gap in Ghana’s healthcare education system – the absence of specialised oncology nursing training schools in the country.
“There are no oncology nursing training schools in the country,” Dr Wiafe Addai pointed out, “underscoring the significance of the curriculum reform,” she advocates.
She further explained that the curriculum reform would be essential alongside her organisation’s efforts to train healthcare professionals, particularly in underserved areas.
Dr Wiafe Addai highlighted that healthcare professionals in rural areas often served as the first point of contact for patients, making their education crucial for early detection and proper care.
One of the most disturbing revelations from the training was the social impact of breast cancer on patients’ lives as Dr Wiafe Addai noted that lack of proper counseling has resulted in many men divorcing their wives after diagnosis.
“The psychological impact of breast cancer extends far beyond the physical symptoms,” she elaborated. “Without adequate counseling for both patients and their families, women face abandonment at a time when they need support the most.”
Moreover, Dr Wiafe Addai stressed the importance of celebrating and highlighting cancer survivors. “Survivorship is most important as the more we have survivors, the more we see reduction of fear and stigma of the disease,” she emphasised.
She noted the fact that breast cancer does not start with pains was the reason many women live with the disease for a longer time before seeking for help.
The leading breast cancer advocate emphasised the need to dispel superstitious beliefs surrounding the disease. “It is not witchcraft that causes breast cancer,” she stated firmly, addressing a belief that still persists in some communities and often delays proper medical treatment.
She again highlighted the importance of involving younger generations in awareness campaigns. “It is very important to involve the youth in awareness creation of the disease,” noted Dr Wiafe Addai.
She also urged the public to know their family history regarding breast cancer, which can help with preventive measures.
Dr Kwabena Opoku-Adusei, former President of Ghana Medical Association, who chaired the function, encouraged journalists to use their platforms to spread accurate information about breast cancer, help reduce stigma, and promote early detection practices that could save countless lives.
Nana Osei Amankwa III, chief of Oduom, also asked journalists to eschew fake news because they are the mouthpiece of the people.
Ashanti and Eastern Regional Chairmen of the Ghana Journalists Association, Kingsley E. Hope and Maxwell Kudakor, used the occasion to urge journalists to be passionate about health related stories to combat misconceptions.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
