Gender
Overcoming breast cancer …Theresa Fakaah’s journey to survival
Theresa Fakaah.
At just 33 years, Theresa Fakaah’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with breast cancer at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra. Overwhelmed by fear and negativity, she broke down in tears upon hearing the biopsy results.
The doctor’s words echoed in her mind: “The cancer is aggressive; we must remove the affected breast to prevent it from spreading to the other.” The thought of losing a breast, especially at her age and without having children or a partner, was unbearable.
Ms Fakaah’s breast cancer journey started in 2021 when she visited Ga South Municipal with a pain in her breast and was later referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
It was at the hospital that she receive the devastating news of breast cancer that turned her life around.
Desperate for an alternative, Theresa abandoned conventional treatment and sought herbal remedies for three months. However, her condition worsened.
While on herbal treatment, she experienced excruciating pain and discharge from her right breast coupled with sleepless nights.
Returning to Korle-Bu the following year 2022, Theresa began her treatment anew, she went through eight cycles of chemotherapy, surgery to remove the affected breast and received 14 shots of Herceptin in her thigh.
Herceptin is a medication administered through infusion. This targeted therapy helps prevent cancer cells from growing and is commonly used as an adjuvant treatment to prevent recurrence.
Initially, she was scheduled to receive 18 Herceptin injections, however, Ms Fakaah experienced adverse reactions after 14 injections, and her medical team decided to discontinue the treatment with it and suggested another drug.
She said she was neglected by her family when they heard of her condition, advising her to return to the village for cure; a suggestion she refused, hence the rejection.
She was later supported by Toptown Church of Christ, Amanfrom and other individuals which enabled her to go through the treatment.
She encouraged breast cancer patients not to habour fear in them but rather follow the instructions of health professionals in order to ‘fight and conquer’ the disease.
Ms Fakaah’s breast cancer journey, is an indication of the rising number of young women in Ghana being diagnosed with breast cancer, underscoring the urgency for broader public education and awareness.
In Ghana alone, over 2,000 women lose their lives to breast cancer each year, however, health experts believe the number is significantly higher, as many cases remain undiagnosed.
A major barrier to diagnosis and treatment is the cost, with many unable to afford the necessary medical procedures. As a result, countless individuals return home, untreated, only to succumb to the disease.
October is globally recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the disease and promoting early detection.
This year’s global theme for the awareness month is “no one should face breast cancer alone,” with the aim of bringing to attention the silent struggles faced by survivors and patients who may feel isolated and unsupported due to the disease.
The goal of this year’s campaign is to ensure that survivors receive the warmth and support they need while battling with the disease and stigma.
It is therefore important not to pay lip service to the treatment of breast cancer, as many women are continuously suffering from the disease.
It is also important for stakeholders to find ways of lessening the financial and emotional burden of patients and survivors, increase awareness especially among young people, promote healthy lifestyles, improve access to screening and diagnostic facilities as well as enhancing healthcare infrastructure and treatment options.
Theresa’s journey was marked by fear, denial, and determination. Today, she stands as a testament to resilience and courage in the face of adversity
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Gender
Parents urged to provide moral guidance to help children transition to adulthood
North Hill International School (NIS), a basic school situated at North Legon in Accra has held its 6th Speech and Prize-Giving Day with a call on parents and guardians to provide the needed moral guidance and support for children to become responsible and disciplined adults in society.
The Guest Speaker for the occasion, Mr Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Minister of State and Government Communication who made the call in a speech read on his behalf, said this stage was crucial for children to learn values that enable them become responsible members of the family unit, their immediate environment and the country at large.
Themed: “Discipline- The bridge between dreams and reality” the event saw 36 learners in total graduating comprising primary and lower secondary.
Master Vielung Kwadwo Bagbin, son of Ghana’s Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, emerged overall best student.
Mr Ofosu said their formative stage was an age where good habits, behaviours and characters were built which lay a solid foundation for their lives.
In an address, the Principal of the School, Mrs Emma Coleman Opoku, said the school reaffirms its commitment to academic excellence as demonstrated by the outstanding performance of pupils in the 2025 Cambridge Checkpoint Examinations.
She described the outcome as result of tireless efforts from passionate teachers, the determination and diligence of pupils and the support of parents.
Over the years, she said, NIS has made remarkable strides in the Basic Education Certificate Examinations, consistently raising academic standards and producing outstanding results.
According to her, last year, the school recorded exceptional achievements including ten grade ones with two pupils attaining eight grade ones and another achieving six grade ones.
“Despite these successes, we have observed a decline in interest and enrollment in the GES curriculum,” she said.
The Principal indicated that, after careful examination and in light of current enrollment figures, the school has decided to suspend the GES curriculum temporarily.
On her part, the General Manager of the school, Mrs Bernice Adu Boateng, expressed gratitude to teachers for their dedication and professionalism and the invaluable role of parents which has brought the school thus far.
Come September, she said the school would roll out digital boards to complement the use of projectors and desktops in every classroom to infuse the use of technology to enhance facilitator-learner activities.
In a Global Perspective Project titled, “ Acting on Poverty and Inequality “, Year 7 pupils of the school raised an amount of GH₵17,530 to support the cause and donated used personal effects to Potter’s Village.
The Administrator and Human Resources Manager of the school, Mrs. Bertha Boamah Benin, expressed profound appreciation to companies and individuals that supported the event.
By Francis Cofie
Gender
Take control of your financial future …female students urged
Mrs. Janet Acheampong Otoo, Treasurer of the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), has urged young women to take control of their financial future by embracing literacy, confidence, and purposeful planning.
Speaking at the university’s Financial Literacy Summit over the weekend, she emphasized that “money is power” and that women must be empowered with the knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions.
The summit, organised by the Student Representative Council, was held under the theme “Financial Fitness: Building wealth and securing your future.”
Mrs Acheampong Otoo explained that financial literacy was more than budgeting—”it encompasses saving, investing, and managing debt”.
However, she noted that many women still struggle due to a confidence gap that hinders their ability to create and follow effective financial plans.
“Financial independence is about freedom, confidence, and the ability to pursue your dreams,” she said. “As women, we have the power to shape our own futures and contribute meaningfully to society and family life.”
She encouraged female students to attend workshops, read widely, and avoid impulsive spending on beauty and lifestyle. “Every financial decision should align with your long-term vision,” she added. “Believe in yourself. Lead the charge.”
Joining the conversation, the Municipal Chief Executive of Sekyere South, Mr Evans Amo Twumasi, called financial literacy one of the most overlooked foundations in nation-building.
“In today’s world, the line between economic survival and financial freedom is drawn not by luck but by knowledge and discipline,” Mr Amo said. “Money may be finite, but knowledge is infinite—and financial discipline is the bridge between them.”
He stressed that financial fitness was not just about saving or spending, but understanding the value of a cedi, the cost of each decision, and the power of forward planning. With the right mindset and habits, he said, anyone can achieve economic resilience and long-term success.
Mr Amo urged students to embrace financial education as a tool for personal transformation and national progress. “The future does not belong to those who merely wish for wealth—it belongs to those who plan it, save it, and work for it,” he said.
He also called for policies that strengthen entrepreneurship and youth empowerment and encouraged students to respect money and use it with purpose.
Other speakers included Dr Evans Duah, Dr Prince Gyimah and Prof. Joseph Mbawuni, all lecturers at the University.
From Kingsley E. Hope
