Gender
Upscale screening to eliminate cervical cancer —Nurse
Ms Jennifer Nelson, a Preventive and Occupational Health Management Consultant, has called for a scale up in the screening for cervical cancer to aid in early detection.
She said screening was a critical component of cervical cancer elimination, stressing that it could accelerate the pace of a world free of cervical cancer marching towards the 2030 deadline.
Ms Nelson, who is also the CEO of the preventive health NGO, Lifeline Haven Company Limited, stated during an engagement organised by Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) as part of activities to mark the 2025 Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.
Since 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been driving a global effort to eliminate cervical cancer, underscoring the necessity of collaborative innovation and sustained commitment.
Cervical Health Awareness Month is a time to reflect on the progress made and the work that lies ahead. Amplifying the importance of prevention, championing mental health care, and fostering a supportive community can prioritise cervical cancer activities.
She explained that young people, especially women, must be encouraged to undergo the screening. “Early detection is key to winning the war against cervical cancer; people should not fear going to health facilities for screening.”
Ms Nelson noted, “Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are cost-effective.
“Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly.” Mr Francis Ameyibor, CDA Consult Executive Director, said the 2025 theme for Cervical Cancer Awareness month is “Eliminating Cervical Cancer: A Shared Responsibility.”
He said the theme emphasised the need for collective action to prevent cervical cancer, which claims thousands of lives annually in Ghana.
He explained that Cervical Cancer Prevention Month served as a dedicated awareness campaign aimed at educating people about cervical cancer, its prevention, and the importance of regular screenings and it was a largely preventable disease, and this week serves as a reminder to prioritise cervical health and take steps to reduce the risk of the cancer.
Mr Ameyibor said the climax of Cervical Cancer Prevention Month is observed from January 22 to January 28, stressing that CDA Consult and partners have lined up series of events this month to commemorate the event.
He said the advocacy group has to roll out a relentless advocacy campaign to combat cervical cancer in the country and also draw global attention to the slow pace of achieving the 2030 target and the need for scaling up the process.
Mr Ameyibor said CDA Consult, in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Directorate of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) and the National Insurance Commission (NIC), launched the “Eastern Region Must Rise Against Cervical Cancer” last year.
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Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, a Deputy Chief of Staff, has called for sustained legal and institutional reforms to address gender biases within Ghana’s justice system.
She urged women lawyers to build on the legacy of trailblazers who have shaped the country’s legal landscape.
Madam Bampoe Addo made the call at the maiden Biennial Conference of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) Women’s Forum, organised in collaboration with the Ghana School of Law in Accra on Tuesday.
The event was on the theme: “The role of women lawyers in national development: honouring trailblazers.”
Madam Bampoe Addo said the progress made by women in the legal profession was not accidental but the result of years of struggle, sacrifice and determination.
She paid tribute to early trailblazers such as Matilda Foster and Annie Jiagge, saying their achievements broke barriers and opened doors for generations of women lawyers.
She commended the contributions of female judicial leaders, including Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood, Mrs Sophia Akuffo, and Mrs Gertrude Torkornoo, whose leadership reflected the growing influence of women in Ghana’s judiciary.
Women lawyers had made significant contributions across multiple sectors, including the courtroom, academia, policy development, civil society advocacy and community engagement.
Madam Bampoe Addo noted that their efforts had advanced gender equality, strengthened institutions and improved access to justice in the country.
She expressed concern about the persistent gender biases within the justice system, particularly in some judicial pronouncements that could undermine the dignity of women.
The courts, she noted, must not only deliver justice but must also communicate it in a manner that upheld respect and fairness for all parties.
“There is undervaluation of women’s unpaid domestic labour, including caregiving responsibilities, which are often overlooked in legal determinations, especially in matrimonial cases,” she added.
She called for a more progressive and context-sensitive approach to adjudication, drawing on comparative jurisprudence from other jurisdictions to ensure fairness and equity.
Madam Bampoe Addo urged legal practitioners and judges to build on progressive legal precedents and ensure that Ghana’s legal system evolved to reflect contemporary social realities.
She emphasised the importance of mentorship and inclusivity, encouraging women in leadership to create opportunities for others and support the next generation of female lawyers.
She called on young women to pursue legal careers with confidence, adding that the profession offered vast opportunities to contribute to national development.
Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Donkor, the Director-General of CID, said women lawyers played indispensable roles in shaping Ghana’s legal and governance systems.
They had excelled in various fields and occupied key leadership positions, contributing to policy reforms and championing justice for vulnerable groups, she added.
COP Donkor paid tribute to trailblazing women lawyers whose achievements continued to inspire and motivate younger generations to strive for excellence.
She urged students and young practitioners to go beyond academic successes and embrace the broader mission of promoting justice, fairness and societal transformation.
She encouraged more women lawyers to consider careers in the Ghana Police Service, describing law enforcement as a critical area where legal expertise was needed to strengthen justice delivery.
She commended the organisers of the conference for the success, saying it would encourage the next generation of women lawyers to continue to make significant contributions to Ghana’s development. – GNA
The Dzidula Pink Foundation has engaged expectant mothers on cervical cancer at a recent pregnancy clinic held at St Gregory Hospital, Budumburam in the Awutu Senya East District.
The engagement formed part of its advocacy on early cancer detection to safeguard maternal health.
It also formed part of the foundation’s broader mission to raise awareness about cancers affecting women, particularly at a time when many may be least likely to consider screening especially pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Addressing a gathering of pregnant women at the clinic, the president of the foundation, Ms Fafa Gozo, highlighted a worrying trend where a significant number of women are diagnosed with cancer around the time of delivery.
This, she noted, often results from delayed screening and limited awareness about the importance of early detection.
She educated the women about the need to prioritise their health by undertaking timely cancer screening, even while navigating the demands of pregnancy.
She reiterated that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality.
“Pregnancy should not be a reason to delay screening. In fact, it is a critical period where heightened awareness can save lives,” Ms Gozo said.
The engagement also created a platform for open dialogue, allowing the expectant mothers to ask questions, share concerns, and receive guidance from health professionals present at the clinic.
Health experts at the facility echoed the foundation’s message, underscoring that routine checks and screenings, when done early, can lead to timely interventions and better health outcomes for both mother and child.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
