News
‘Educate communities on early, regular breast cancer examinations’
Rev Prof Paul Frimpong- Manso-president of FMI
The Frimpong-Manso Institute (FMI) has urged government and stakeholders to continue to educate communities on the need for early and regular breast examinations.
According to the Institute, early detection was the best chance to reduce its adverse effects on women.
This was contained in a statement copied to The Spectator in Accra on Monday.
According to the statement, data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates that 2.3 million women have breast cancer and about 685,000 died from the disease in 2020.
Also in the same year, it said 7.8 million women were reported to be living with breast cancer for five years, making it a predominant cancer among females.
“There is no doubt that breast cancer is a public menace, therefore it needs much attention so that it does not overwhelm our coping health systems,” it said.
Breast cancer, it stated, was said to be exclusive to women but was also now affecting men.
The statement said some risk factors included obesity, excessive alcohol intake, family history, early menarche, tobacco use and postmenopausal therapy.
It added that 50 per cent of breast cancers were without notable risk factors except for being a female and an adult over 40 years.
It said symptoms of breast cancer may include breast lumps, without pain, change in size of breast or nipple appearance and bloody fluid from the nipple while there may also be no signs in the early stage of the cancer.
The statement said the cancer could spread to other organs such as lung, liver and the brain.
In the statement, FMI congratulated health workers in the country for leading the charge against breast cancer through advocacy, screening and survivor management.
The Institute also commended Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe Addai of the Breast Care International and Peace and Love Hospitals for championing breast care for over two decades in the country.
“We acknowledge your immense contribution to educating many and providing management for the condition which has improved the quality of life of breast cancer survivors,’ it said.
It therefore urged Ghanaians to promote awareness on the disease and the need for more women to get screened early and on regular basis in the month of October.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
News
Minister of Health appeals to Tamale Teaching Hospital striking doctors
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has appealed to the striking doctors at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) to calll off the suspension and come to the negotiation table.
However, he refused to apologise as demanded by the striking doctors.
The doctors after a meeting yesterday have withdrawn emergency services following the dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.
This follows an unannounced visit to the hospital by the Minister on Tuesday.
The Minister made the appeal when addressing the media in Accra on Today, April 24 2025.
According to him, dialogue is the only way out to resolve the issue, adding that he was ready collaborate with them.
“I am prepared for us to come around the table and discuss whatever we need to discuss,” Mr Akandoh said.
“My humble appeal to my wonderful medical doctors and health professionals at Tamale Teaching Hospital is that I am the first person to take care of your interests. Therefore, let’s call off the strike and let’s all regroup and strategise going forward,” he concluded.
News
Health Minister donates medical equipment to Tamale Teaching Hospital, pledges commitment to reforms
The Minister for Health Kwabena Miintah Akandoh has reiterated government’s commitment to address long-standing challenges in the health sector, describing the health system as one that requires urgent reform and collective responsibility.
He made these remarks during a donation of some essential medical equipment and supplies to the Tamale Teaching Hospital on behalf of the Ministry of Health.
The donation included a wide range of equipment such as ECG machines, ICU ventilators, cardiac monitors, anesthesia machines, infant incubators, and essential
Consumables amounting to about 35 items.
Among the items highlighted were
Emergency Health Equipment (EHE) sets, nebulizer sets, and medical-grade towels.
The Health Minister acknowledged the difficult working conditions health professionals continue to endure and emphasized that government efforts alone would not be enough to resolve systemic issues.
He called for unity across the health sector and urged all stakeholders, including medical doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, to work together to ensure that the country’s limited resources are used efficiently.
He noted that the wellbeing of the ordinary Ghanaian should be central to healthcare delivery, cautioning against practices that marginalize the underprivileged due to resource scarcity. According to him, every Ghanaian life is valuable, and the system must reflect that belief in both policy and practice.
Mr.Akandoh stressed that his leadership approach is rooted in humility, collaboration, and respect for all health workers. While acknowledging that change may come with challenges, he maintained that cooperation is key to achieving lasting improvements in the sector.
The Minister pleaded with health professionals in the Tamale Teaching Hospital to call off the strike and regroup to strategize on more effective ways to address their concerns through dialogue and collaboration with relevant authorities.
The donation to the Tamale Teaching Hospital forms part of a broader national initiative to modernize medical infrastructure and enhance service delivery in Ghana’s healthcare.
