Award-winning Ghanaian rapper, Michael Addo popularly known as Sarkodie, has called for a deeper and more sustainable partnership between Ghana’s creative industry and the financial technology sector.

The rapper made the call on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy call on the management of MobileMoney Fintech Limited at the company’s head office in Accra to explore opportunities for collaboration beyond the conventional corporate sponsorship arrangement.

The meeting focused on how the two sectors could work together to promote financial inclusion, digital financial services and opportunities within Ghana’s growing creative economy.

The rapper acknowledged MobileMoney Fintech Ltd’s past support for his annual Rapperholic concert, but emphasised that his broader objective was to establish a long-term partnership that creates sustainable value for both the company and the creative industry.

“I am here today not like the usual business where we come and ask, ‘Can we get sponsorship for our show?’ and that’s it. It goes beyond just coming in and getting support,” Sarkodie said.

He pointed out that artistes and creative professionals maintain long-term visions for their careers including album releases, tours, brand initiatives, and community engagement programmes and argued that corporate partnerships should be structured around shared objectives.

Sarkodie proposed to use his upcoming campus tour as a platform for MobileMoney Fintech Ltd to engage directly with young people, raising awareness about the company’s new MoMo app and its comprehensive suite for financial services.

Welcoming Sarkodie and his team, the Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney Fintech Ltd, Mr Shaibu Haruna, described the visit as an important step towards strengthening the relationship between the creative and Fintech industries.

Mr Haruna explained that although MobileMoney Fintech Ltd was primarily a technology-driven company, its relationship with the entertainment industry remained strategic because of the enormous reach and influence of both sectors.

Both parties expressed commitment to future engagements to identify concrete areas of cooperation, focusing heavily on expanding financial inclusion, connecting young people to digital financial services, and accelerating the growth of Ghana’s creative economy.

By Linda Abrefi Wadie 

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Women have been asked not to dismiss painless lumps in the breast, as the absence of pain does not mean a lump is harmless.

A Specialist Radiation Oncologist at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr Mary Ann Dadzie, said women should seek medical attention promptly whenever they noticed any unusual changes in the breast.

“A painless lump is not a harmless lump. You need to take action and not wait for pain,” she said.

Dr Dadzie made the call at the 2026 national launch of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, held on the theme, “early action, better outcomes.”

She expressed concern that about 45 per cent of breast cancer patients seen at Korle-Bu failed to return after starting treatment.

According to her, some patients began treatment but later stopped reporting to the hospital, leaving health professionals uncertain about their wellbeing.

She attributed the situation to several factors, including fear of death, financial difficulties, long distances to health facilities, lack of time and stigma.

Dr Dadzie urged women to know their breasts and seek medical attention within two weeks of noticing any abnormality.

She said warning signs could include a lump or thickening in the breast or armpit, changes in breast size, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge and changes in the skin, including redness, sores or an orange-peel appearance.

She cautioned women not to assume they were safe simply because they had no family history of breast cancer, explaining that only about five to 10 per cent of women with the disease had a familial or genetic mutation.

Dr Dadzie encouraged women to undergo regular clinical breast examinations and discuss appropriate screening options, including mammography and ultrasound, with health professionals.

She also called on families, particularly husbands and partners, to support women who needed breast examinations or treatment.

“Home is where the support begins,” she said, urging families to provide practical assistance such as transportation and childcare.

Dr Dadzie further appealed for breast cancer services to be brought closer to communities through increased access to mammography, ultrasound and biopsy services, as well as the training of more health professionals.

The Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr Grace Ayensu- Danquah, said breast cancer remained a major health concern among women in Ghana, with an estimated 4,650 new cases and about 2,060 deaths recorded annually.

She said Ghana’s breast cancer response focused on prevention, early detection, equitable access to treatment and compassionate care.

Dr Ayensu-Danquah said the country was working to strengthen awareness, clinical breast examinations, referral systems, pathology and diagnostic services to improve breast cancer outcomes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) representative, Dr Joana Ansong, said too many women continued to present with advanced breast cancer, resulting in avoidable suffering and deaths.

She called for stronger health education, timely diagnosis, rapid referral and equitable access to comprehensive treatment and support.

Dr Ansong said breast cancer awareness should move beyond campaigns to sustained action involving government, communities, health professionals, civil society organisations, the private sector and families.

By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu