Ghana recorded 27,385 new cancer cases and 17,944 cancer-related deaths in 2022, a situation health experts say requires urgent investment in prevention, early detection, specialised treatment and cancer research.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Breast Care International and Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, disclosed the figures during a fundraising dinner held in Maryland, United States, in support of the proposed Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence (CCCoE).
The figures, she said, demonstrate the seriousness of cancer in Ghana and the need for the country to move beyond treating individual cases to building a comprehensive national cancer-care system.
Growing cancer burden
Cancer continues to place a significant burden on individuals, families and the healthcare system, with patients often facing challenges ranging from delayed diagnosis and inadequate screening to the high cost of specialised treatment.
Dr Wiafe Addai said many patients only seek medical attention when the disease has progressed to an advanced stage, making treatment more difficult, expensive and, in some cases, less effective.
She stressed that early detection remains critical because several cancers can be successfully managed when detected and treated at an early stage.
However, limited access to screening services, inadequate public awareness and the concentration of specialised cancer services in a few locations continue to create difficulties for many patients.
Lack of comprehensive cancer centre
According to Dr Wiafe Addai, Ghana currently has no comprehensive cancer centre that brings together the full range of services required for cancer care in one institution.
She said the absence of such a facility means that patients may have to move between different hospitals and specialists while seeking diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and other forms of treatment.
The situation can be particularly difficult for patients from rural communities who have to travel long distances to access specialised services.
Dr Wiafe Addai said the proposed Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence is therefore intended to provide an integrated approach where patients can access several critical services in one location.
Financial burden on families
She recounted the difficulties faced by cancer patients and their families, including the financial pressure associated with prolonged treatment.
According to her, some families are compelled to sell their properties and other valuable possessions to raise money for medical treatment.
She said the situation becomes even more challenging when patients require specialised care that is not readily available locally.
The proposed centre, she explained, is intended to help reduce some of these challenges by expanding access to advanced cancer care within Ghana.
She also noted that some patients travel outside the country in search of treatment, resulting in significant expenditure for families and the country.
The presentation at the fundraising event estimated that cancer patients spend about US$10 million annually seeking treatment abroad, a situation organisers say highlights the need to strengthen Ghana’s capacity to provide advanced cancer treatment locally.
Proposed cancer centre
The proposed centre is planned for Kwaso near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and is expected to serve as a major hub for cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, research and training.
Dr Wiafe Addai said the vision is to establish an institution where different specialists can work together to provide comprehensive care to cancer patients.
The facility is expected to provide a platform for surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, nurses, laboratory specialists and other healthcare professionals to collaborate in managing patients.
It is also expected to support research into cancer trends, treatment options and prevention strategies, while providing opportunities for the training and development of healthcare professionals.
Focus on research and training
Dr Wiafe Addai said Ghana’s response to cancer must not focus exclusively on treatment.
She emphasised the importance of research, prevention and education in reducing the number of people who develop cancer and improving survival rates among those diagnosed with the disease.
The proposed centre is therefore expected to serve not only as a treatment facility but also as a centre for research and professional training.
Such an approach, she said, would help Ghana develop a stronger pool of specialists and improve the country’s ability to respond to the growing cancer burden.
A regional centre of excellence
The vision also goes beyond Ghana.
Organisers say the proposed facility could serve patients and health professionals from other parts of Africa, particularly West Africa, where access to specialised oncology services remains limited.
The presentation indicated that more than 400 million people across West Africa lack adequate access to oncology services, underscoring the potential regional importance of the project.
The centre is therefore being positioned as a possible regional centre of excellence capable of attracting specialists, supporting research collaborations and improving access to advanced cancer treatment.
Otumfuo’s support
The project has received the blessing of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with organisers describing it as a legacy initiative aimed at transforming cancer care in Ghana and contributing to improved healthcare delivery across Africa.
The involvement of the Asantehene, organisers say, reflects the broader significance attached to the project and its potential contribution to the country’s healthcare system.
Appeal to diaspora and philanthropists
At the Maryland fundraising dinner, Dr Wiafe Addai appealed to members of the Ghanaian and African diaspora, foundations, corporations, businesses and philanthropists to support the initiative.
She said the project requires collective commitment from both individuals and institutions to become a fully operational cancer centre.
The fundraising campaign has established various donor categories to allow people and organisations to contribute according to their capacity.
The categories range from community contributions of up to US$24,999 to the Royal Founder category, which is reserved for donations of US$2 million and above.
Dr Wiafe Addai said every contribution would help bring the project closer to completion and ultimately provide cancer patients with greater access to specialised care.
More than a hospital
She stressed that the objective is not simply to construct another hospital.
According to her, the ultimate vision is to create an institution that changes the way cancer is prevented, diagnosed, treated and researched in Ghana.
The centre is expected to provide patients with access to timely diagnosis, specialised treatment and supportive care while also helping their families navigate the difficult journey associated with cancer.
Dr Wiafe Addai expressed confidence that with strong public, private and philanthropic support, Ghana can establish a cancer centre capable of meeting international standards.
She said the initiative could help reduce the number of patients travelling abroad for treatment, strengthen local expertise and ultimately save lives.
Call for early detection
Health experts have repeatedly stressed the importance of early detection and regular screening, particularly for cancers where early intervention can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Dr Wiafe Addai’s appeal therefore goes beyond fundraising for the proposed facility.
It also highlights the need for Ghanaians to take cancer prevention and screening seriously and to seek medical attention when they notice unusual symptoms rather than waiting until a disease becomes advanced.
For organisers of the proposed centre, the growing number of cancer cases and deaths makes investment in comprehensive cancer care no longer a luxury but an urgent national health priority.
The proposed Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence is consequently being presented as a long-term investment in Ghana’s healthcare system—one that organisers hope will benefit not only today’s patients but generations to come.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah — Ahotoronline, Accra.
