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The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto, has made a heartfelt appeal to women to prioritise their health and take proactive steps against breast cancer, warning that the disease continues to threaten the lives of many women in Ghana.
“We cannot afford cancer to take you away from us. We cannot. And we will not allow that,” Mrs. Houadjeto said passionately during a breast cancer screening exercise organised by the Authority at its head office in Accra on Tuesday, 21 October.
The exercise formed part of the GTA’s activities to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, aimed at promoting early detection and preventive healthcare among women.
Addressing participants, Mrs. Houadjeto described women as the “economic centre of their homes,” stressing that their wellbeing is essential not only to their families but also to national development.
“We are the economic centre of our homes, not just financial contributors. We make it happen for everybody in that family. So we need you as mothers, as big sisters, as daughters. Some of the big sisters here take care of our brothers and sisters, and some of the mothers will not sleep until their children are comfortable,” she said.
She explained that the screening exercise was organised to give women the opportunity to undergo free medical checks, including breast cancer screening, blood pressure tests, and diabetes screening, health services that often come at a cost in hospitals.
“We are encouraging everybody here, call a friend, call a sister, call a mother, call anybody you know to come and experience what you are experiencing today. Let people come and have their breasts screened and do the necessary checks,” she urged.
Mrs. Houadjeto added that women often overlook their own health while caring for others and therefore must take advantage of such free screenings to ensure they remain strong for themselves and their families.
She further encouraged women not to fear a diagnosis, emphasising that early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.
“Keep checking, because the earlier it’s noticed, the better it is for you. When it’s noticed early, it can be managed. But when it gets to stage 3 or 4, it becomes very dangerous,” she advised.
In a touching moment during the event, Mrs. Houadjeto announced the GTA’s commitment to supporting Aunty Comfort, a former staff member of the Authority who survived breast cancer and now dedicates her time to raising awareness and assisting other women living with the disease.
“Originally, we were going to go to Korle Bu to make a donation. But what is the point when Aunty Comfort has decided that she will sacrifice the rest of her life campaigning against cancer and taking care of other women who have the disease? Once you are a former staff member, we are going to support you in this way,” the GTA CEO declared.
An emotional Aunty Comfort expressed deep gratitude to the GTA leadership for the recognition and pledged to continue supporting women battling cancer.
“I never expected this. God bless you so much,” she said. “Sometimes it’s not easy. The people I counsel come from different places, even from Nigeria. But we keep going because women need to know the importance of checking their breasts and seeking help early.”
The breast cancer screening exercise at the GTA head office forms part of the Authority’s broader health and wellness initiatives, aimed at promoting preventive healthcare and empowering women to take charge of their wellbeing.
As breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of death among women globally, the Ghana Tourism Authority reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining awareness campaigns and encouraging early screening and timely medical intervention.
The post “We cannot afford cancer to take you away from us” — GTA boss rallies women to prioritise early screening appeared first on The Herald ghana.
