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‘Let’s not relent in fight against breast cancer’
Dr Elsie Cudjoe, representative from the World Health Organisation
Dr Elsie Cudjoe, Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged market women at the Kaneshie Market Complex to increase their physical activity to reduce the risk of contracting diseases including breast cancer.
Speaking at the launch of the Spectator Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign on Thursday in Accra, she noted that obesity, harmful use of alcohol, smoking, among others were some of the risk factors of breast cancer and stressed the need for women to adopt healthy lifestyles and propagate the message about the disease.
Highlighting global statistics and the general incidence of the disease she maintained that there was still life after breast cancer.
Dr. Cudjoe, emphaised the organisation’s effort to control the disease citing the ‘WHO Global Breast Cancer Initiative’ which aimed at reducing breast cancer mortality by 2.5 per cent per year.
“Reducing global breast cancer mortality by 2.5 per cent per year would avert 25 per cent (2.5 million) of breast cancer deaths by 2030 and 40 per cent by 2040,” she said.
The strategies, she noted, included health promotion and early detection, timely diagnosis, comprehensive breast cancer management/treatment, adding that early diagnosis was very crucial for treatment, therefore, women should avail themselves of breast cancer treatment options offered by health practitioners.
She further admitted that breast cancer treatment was expensive but part of it had been covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) therefore, women should take advantage of the opportunity.
“It is my hope that every woman diagnosed with breast cancer would have access to specialised care without causing financial catastrophy in line with universal health coverage,” she said.
The campaign is themed: “Life Before and After Breast Cancer: A Future of Positivity and Hope” and comes with series of activities including a health talk at the Labone Senior High School in Accra.
Ms Dakoa Newman, the Member of Parliament of the Okaikoi South Constituency, also advised men to stop stigmatising women with breast cancer or other forms of illness.
She said health professionals had identified bad eating habits, exposure to radioactive gadgets as some triggers of the illness, therefore, women should desist from putting mobile phones under their brassieres.
She further observed that, some women who had been diagnosed with illness did not follow through with their treatment for fear their husbands would abandon them “when they for instance lose their breast from breast cancer,” and encouraged women not to despair when diagnosed.
Mr. Martin Adu Owusu, Managing Director of New Times Corporation, also said the complications of breast cancer were “quite daunting but we need to provide hope and support for victims and non-victims of breast cancer so they can live meaningful lives.”
He said the campaign was one of the corporation’s strategies to help reduce the incidence of breast cancer and its attendant stigmatization in the country and expressed optimism that the campaign would “make positive impact on present and future generations.”
“We need to be tenacious and relentless in our effort to fight this disease. This is not a difficult task, we can save many lives and bring solace and prosperity to many families if we continue with aggressive campaign in regular examination and screening,” he said.
Mr. Emmanuel Amposnsah, Editor of The Spectator, also highlighted statistics of the disease indicating thatthe campaign was to educate the public on the risks, symptoms, and treatment options for the illness.
“The Spectator, Your Weekend Companion, is leading this breast cancer campaign to create awareness on the dangers of the disease to women in particular who coincidentally align with the brand personality of the newspaper,” he said.
Ms. Vera Karikari Bediako, Deputy Director of Gender at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, emphasised the ministry’s commitment to coordinate gender related issues and support campaigns aimed at sensitising women.
Mr. Kwame Agbeve, Deputy Managing Director Kaneshie Market Complex, urged women not to turn to prayer camps for treatment when diagnosed with breast cancer. “The first port of call is not the prayer camp, it is the hospital,” he noted.
Mr. Alfred Koomson, Marketing Manager of New Times Corporation said: “The nation cannot continue to lose women due to breast cancer hence the campaign against the disease which is preventable and curable.”
He thanked partners for the support and expressed hope that the support would continue in the years ahead.
Ms. Adelaide Setordzie, Hospital Administrator, Kaneshie Polyclinic, praised NTC for the initiative and asked women to undertake frequent breast care examination and remain mindful of the devastating effects of breast cancer.
By Ernest Nutsugah & Portia Hutton-Mills
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Armed Forces has confirmed that an escort convoy protecting civilians was attacked in Binduri in the Upper East Region, leaving three people dead.
In a press release issued on April 27, 2026, the military said the convoy, which was escorting about 140 civilians from Bawku to Bolgatanga, came under gunfire from unknown attackers.
It said the attackers shot at the convoy several times, killing three of the civilians being escorted and injuring one other person.
According to the statement, soldiers returned fire and were able to repel the attack. In the process, seven of the assailants were killed.
The military added that during a follow-up operation, weapons and ammunition were retrieved from a suspect who had taken refuge in a mosque.
The items included a G3 rifle, two loaded magazines, and additional rounds of ammunition.
It said ten other suspects have been arrested and are assisting with investigations.
The Ghana Armed Forces cautioned the public against engaging the military or any security agency during operations.
It extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.
By: Jacob Aggrey
