Editorial
Let’s Fight Discrimination, Stigma Against Breast Cancer Patients, Survivors
Nobody is at fault for receiving a breast cancer diagnosis, but the psychological scars caused by the stigma and discrimination survivors face are worsening their circumstances more than the disease itself.
The Executive Secretary of the Breast Cancer Society of Ghana (BCSG), Mrs. Georgina Kumah-Dzagah, told our reporter in an exclusive interview that the psychological scars from prejudice and shame are frequently worse than the physical anguish of the cancer.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that over 2.1 million women are affected by breast cancer each year, making it the most frequent cancer in women.
Mrs. Kumah-Dzagah, a survivor, disclosed that although the surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments were difficult for her, the reactions of others caused more severe scarring on her heart than the sickness did on her body.
It is unfortunate that rather than showing survivors love, care, and genuine concern, some families and friends have moved away as if cancer were contagious, leaving survivors with greater wounds.
Even more heartbreaking is the fact that many survivors feel alone and rejected during social events when they most need support and care.
For years, medical professionals have been raising public awareness and educating people, particularly during the month of October, about fear, false information, and the importance of realising that breast cancer is not deadly and not communicable. However, it appears that the message has not penetrated deeply.
In addition to educating the public about the disease, The Spectator is urging medical professionals to pay more attention to the stigma associated with patients and survivors so that they can be treated with respect, love, and compassion rather than avoidance.
Breast cancer patients and survivors need encouragement, not judgment. As such, society must address the problem of stigma, which isolates them and takes away their hope, dignity, and the strength they need to hold on to.
We applaud survivors who are proud of their scars and believe that every scar is proof of survival, not a mark of shame — describing them as symbols of courage and endurance.
Since early detection greatly improves the chances of survival, The Spectator encourages survivors to keep sharing their stories so that women prioritise self-breast examinations (SBE) and routine medical checks.
In addition, we encourage friends, family, and the general public to provide emotional support to those with breast cancer and those who have survived the disease. Even simple acts of kindness can help restore their hope and confidence.
Reminding patients or survivors that they are still complete, worthwhile, and able to live life to the fullest is important.
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Dear Editor,
Over the past few months, the ages of some drivers of commercial vehicles continue to baffle me.
This is common during weekends when one boards any of the commercial vehicles – be it trotros and okada.
I remember, I boarded a taxi from the Accra Central area towards the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area. When I sat in the vehicle, I realised the driver was a young boy. Specifically, he said he was 18.
I know our laws do not permit youth under the age of 21 to be driving; that is clearly against Ghana’s Road Traffic laws for operating commercial vehicles.
Some commuters have even had confrontations with station masters over the issue and have refused to board vehicles driven by underage individuals, despite the risk of arriving late for work.
This situation is deeply disturbing because it puts the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.
No matter how skilled such drivers may be, allowing underage persons to operate commercial vehicles is wrong and unlawful. Laws governing road safety are meant to protect lives, and ignoring them only increases the chances of accidents and loss of lives.
I therefore urge the relevant authorities, especially the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, to strictly enforce the age requirements for commercial driving in the country.
Baba
Labadi
The advantages of focusing on girls have been evident over the years. However, current research indicates that the statistics pertaining to boys are still declining.
Approximately 69 percent of boys and 73 percent of girls finish primary school. While Senior High School (SHS) enrollment trends have lately changed, with females significantly outnumbering males (about 110 girls to every 100 boys), Junior High School (JHS) gender parity remains stable, with the Gender Parity Index (GPI) remaining between 1.00 and 1.03.
The Gender Parity Index (GPI) indicates parity between girls and boys.
Although encouraging education for girls is essential for Ghana’s development, the strong emphasis has unintentionally led to inequalities for boys.
Many stakeholders worry that affirmative action and unequal resource distribution put males at risk, which can occasionally lead to increased dropout rates and behavioural issues in specific neighbourhoods.
There has been a lot of discussion among Ghanaian sociologists and educators about the disproportionate support given to girls and how it affects boys.
They claim that the majority of scholarships and special facilities are frequently disproportionately given to girls, which boy child advocates contend makes young men feel ignored or disadvantaged.
Due to these differences, Apostle Professor Kwabena Agyapong-Kodua, Vice Chancellor of Pentecost University, has voiced serious concerns and is pushing for a deliberate discussion about the education and development of boys in order to build stronger families and societies.
The statement was made by Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua during a seminar hosted by the Church of Pentecost Schools Outreach Ministry in Accra on May 16, which is International Day of the Boy Child.
It was organised in association with the Pentecost Men’s Ministry and the Ghana Education Service (GES) under the theme “Flourish and Thrive: Investing and Unleashing Boys for Strong Families and Communities.”
Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua revealed that many young males are vulnerable due to inadequate mentoring, a decline in schooling, negative social media influences, and emotional neglect.
Additionally, he stated that the boy child faced numerous difficulties, including aggression, substance addiction, academic decline, emotional neglect, and the lack of strong role models, as a result of the focus shifting to the girl child.
He worries that since boys are essential to the development of the country, they should not be overlooked in discussions about leadership, education, family stability, and national reform.
The Spectator agrees with Apostle Prof. Agyapong-Kodua and believes that while it is important to train girls, neglecting boys can impede social advancement by causing differences in behaviour and education between young men and women.
“If we don’t make an effort social media will train our children for us. We’re not saying they shouldn’t use social media, but we should help them get the information they need to succeed in life,” he said.
The Spectator believes that the GES would adopt gender-responsive education in order to guarantee that classroom instruction meets the requirements of both boys and girls equally.
Let’s continue to be dedicated to making sure that no child is left behind.
