Mrs Rejoice Acorlor

The stigma, myth, fear and tagging of breast cancer as a death sentence are
beginning to fizzle out as a result of the aggressive awareness campaigns carried out over the years in the country.

“The campaign has brought to light the assurance that there is life after the detection of breast cancer. It has, therefore, generated the enthusiasm in people to open up this topical discussion and listen with rapt attention,” she said.

The Headmistress of Labone Senior High School, Mrs. Rejoice Akua Acorlor who disclosed this to The Spectator at the school in Accra, said six survivors of the disease who shared their experiences with her, said that they owed their existence to early detection of the disease followed by the treatment regime.

She advised all and sundry to endeavour to study the physiological changes in their bodies, adding that early detection of abnormal growth in the breast must be reported at the hospital for further examination.

The headmistress was privileged to be taught by a midwife how to self-examine her breast and she combined this with yearly medical checks with breast screening in October every year.

She has reiterated the need for both sexes to avail themselves for screening since a negligible number of men were found to be affected by the disease.

“We must pay particular attention to our bodies because good health is wealth which we ought to treasure,” she said.

“The awareness is reaching out to people as compared to what pertained in the 1980s, 90s,and 2000 and beyond. The quality of education my students have received in this year’s awareness campaign has been of immense assistance to the school. They will definitely follow the relevant directives to prevent the occurrence of the disease,” she said.

She said, on the contrary, students who had identified growth in their breasts had gone through the school’s Sick Bay to the hospital for further examination.

“Additionally, we have encouraged our students to become breast cancer ambassadors to help in educating their parents and relatives about the dangers of the disease hence the need for early detection to save their lives.

“People should not be content with the taste of the food but eating a well- balanced diet should be the concern of all.

Also important is the need to undergo regular exercise, consciousness of our lifestyle and avoid sedentary lifestyles, alcohol, and smoking must be avoided.

“I would like to advise lactating mothers to do exclusive breastfeeding for their babies, especially when they are in good health,” she said.

She asked parents to spend quality time with their children for them to enjoy parental care. They should set values for their children and guide them towards achieving set goals while moral training remained key.

She observed that though academic excellence could make one’s life better in the world, it was the character of the individual which would keep one on top.

According to her, the mistrust between adolescents and adults could be eradicated if the former were assured that they formed an integral part of the family and must be listened to in some instances. She cautioned against over-protecting adolescents because of the grave consequences, adding that the youthshould take advantage of technology and social media to acquire knowledge.

The Headmistress said her parents instilled in her moral values, and taught her to work hard, be humble, honest and respect all persons irrespective of their social standing.

She is prepared to accommodate people who have integrity, humility, patriotism and always uphold ethical values.

Mrs. Acorlor was of the view that though parents and guardians were doing their best for their children, they should concentrate on their development and growth.

Her philosophy is that life must be well- planned, lived, be impactful and people should tap one another’s shoulder since that would go a long way to make people feel respected, important and happy. She is of the conviction that happiness could only be achieved when we make our neighbours feel loved and catered for.

The Headmistress intimated that words could not describe how elated teachers were whenever they came across their former students in responsible and sensitive positions in society.  “It gives us satisfaction for the remarkable things our students do in society. I am surprised and always touched when they referred to me as Mrs. Acorlor, which l affectionately responds to. I am pretty sure this is due to how close l was to them when they were students,’ she disclosed.

“As school authorities, we encourage students not to bring their mobile phones to school, but put up their best performance, stick to the school rules and regulations which are made available to them and their families. The students are kept abreast of the school’s rules and regulations on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by the aid of the school’s public address system during break,” she said

An indigene of Peki Dzake in the Volta Region, she attended Peki Secondary School,  St Monica Training College at Ashanti Mampong, University College of Education, Winneba and the Kwame Nkrumah  University of Science and Technology for she read her Masters.

The disciplinarian who is also jovial and approachable, loves everything about God, very fashionable, eager to provide social services, and pushes people to do the right thing.

She is grateful to all members of staff and students of O’Reilly Senior High School, Accra Girls’ Senior High School and Labone Senior High School for the assistance she had received from them.

She is a member of the New Revelation Outreach Ministry and believes that God had lifted her and brought her to where she is today. She remains grateful to Pastor Felix MK Aziave and Mrs Mabel Aziavi for being fed with the unadulterated word of God.

By Raymond Kyekye