Ghana launches first MSc in play therapy to support childhood cancer patients

In a development for paediatric health care in Ghana and across West Africa, the country has officially launched its first-ever Master of Science (MSc) program in Healthcare Play Therapy.

The program, designed to train professionals in therapeutic support for children undergoing serious medical treatment, was unveiled at a ceremony held on Friday at the Cedi Conference Centre, University of Ghana, Legon.

Speaking at the event, Augusta Asiedu-Lartey, Ghana’s first certified Child Life Specialist and a key player in paediatric oncology care at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, shared her personal journey and the significance of this milestone.

Backed by World Child Cancer, Ms. Asiedu-Lartey underwent her first child life training in Kenya in 2019.

Inspired by the progress she witnessed there, she returned to Ghana with a mission: to replicate and institutionalize child-focused therapeutic support in local hospitals.

“Child life—sometimes called play therapy in the UK—is about using therapeutic play, preparation, and emotional support to help children cope with illness, injury, and hospitalisation,” she explained.

"Play is not just recreation for a child. It is their natural language and one of the most powerful tools for processing trauma.”

The MSc program is a critical response to the growing need for psychosocial support in paediatric care, especially among children facing cancer and other life-altering conditions.

Currently, Ghana has only three qualified Child Life Specialists, a startling figure considering the number of children in need of such services.

“Children are often pulled from their normal lives, taken away from school and friends, and placed into unfamiliar, frightening hospital environments,” Asiedu-Lartey said.

"With smells of antiseptics, cries from other patients, and painful procedures, the hospital can become a very traumatic space for a child. That is where child life intervention becomes life-changing.”

The specialist detailed how play therapy helps children understand their medical procedures through role play, medical simulations, and guided storytelling.

This, she emphasized, reduces anxiety, improves cooperation during treatment, and builds emotional resilience—often determining the difference between compliance and resistance in long-term medical care.

Ms. Asiedu-Lartey also shared heartwarming stories from her work.

One child, initially terrified of surgery, overcame her fear through guided preparation involving storytelling and role play using a book titled “My Scar”, authored by Dr. Imanola Omako and Dr. Lee Otego.

Another child, who once needed sedation for every procedure, was later able to go through treatment calmly—thanks to emotional mentoring from a fellow childhood cancer survivor.

“These examples show how powerful therapeutic play can be. It provides hope, strength, and understanding, making the hospital less scary and more supportive,” she said.

However, she acknowledged the challenges ahead: a shortage of trained specialists, limited awareness among medical staff about the role of child life, and the urgent need for institutional training structures—which the new MSc program aims to address.

“This program will strengthen our ability to reach more children in more hospitals with consistent, high-quality psychosocial care,” she affirmed.

Ms. Asiedu-Lartey thanked World Child Cancer and Amgen Biotechnology for their unwavering support in making the program a reality.

She also praised Prof. Nana Aba Osei-Boansi and other medical partners for championing the inclusion of child life specialists in clinical settings.

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury—it is a necessity for healing,” she concluded, echoing the words of Kay Redfield Jamison.

With the MSc in Healthcare Play Therapy now in place, Ghana takes a bold step in redefining childhood cancer care—not just through medicine, but through the healing power of play.

Global biotechnology leader Amgen has pledged its full support for the newly launched Master of Science in Play Therapy program, the first of its kind in Africa.

The initiative, backed by Amgen and World Child Cancer, is designed to strengthen the emotional and psychological well-being of children living with cancer—underscoring the importance of holistic care in low-resource settings.

“Medicines are essential, but they are only one component of a complex health system,” said Sean Lybrand, Executive Director of Access to Healthcare at Amgen.

“Supporting systems that enable children to emotionally and psychologically navigate their journey through cancer treatment is just as critical.”

Mr. Lybrand recounted the story of Gabriel, a Ghanaian high school student and childhood cancer survivor, who once spent weeks isolated in a hospital room, surrounded by silence and IV drips. His only human interaction came from doctors.

"Gabriel’s biggest challenge wasn’t just the illness—it was the loneliness, the boredom, and the lack of emotional engagement,” Lybrand said.

“What children like Gabriel need is not just treatment, but connection, care, and hope.”

The MSc in Play Therapy program aims to train a new generation of professionals to provide such care. Based at the University of Ghana’s Psychology Department, the program will prepare specialists to use therapeutic play techniques to reduce stress, ease anxiety, and improve treatment outcomes for pediatric patients.

Amgen has committed to sponsoring the first cohort of students.

“We are invested in the long-term,” Lybrand affirmed.

"From supporting oncology nursing education in Sub-Saharan Africa to facilitating early exposure to science for students, our mission is to build resilient health systems from the ground up.”

The launch comes at a time when Ghana is expanding its role in the global fight against childhood cancer.

It was recently selected as one of six new countries to join the World Health Organization and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s global platform for access to pediatric oncology medicines.

The platform will ensure uninterrupted access to essential medications for children battling cancer across the country.

Lybrand praised the efforts of local champions like Professor Lorna Renner, who played a key role in Ghana’s inclusion on the WHO-St. Jude platform.

“Thanks to advocates like Professor Renner, Ghana is now part of a global movement to ensure no child dies unnecessarily from cancer,” he said.

Highlighting the broader significance of the new MSc program, Lybrand noted, “This is not just about play. It’s about survival, healing, and preparing children for life after cancer. It’s about telling every child in the ward—you matter, your future matters, and we’re here for you.”

World Child Cancer representative, Adwoa Pinamang Boateng Desu, on her part, highlighted the stark contrast in childhood cancer survival rates between high-income countries—where survival exceeds 80%—and less than 50% in regions like Ghana.

"Our vision is a world where every child with cancer, no matter where they live, has access to equitable treatment, survival, and quality of life," she said.

Since 2010, the organization has expanded its footprint across Africa, Asia, and Central America.

In Ghana, World Child Cancer currently supports 13 programs, including three major treatment centers and six shared care centers across the country.

These facilities, located in Tamale, Kumasi, Accra, and other regional capitals, provide comprehensive care and act as referral hubs for childhood cancer patients.

"Our work in Ghana is donor-driven, and we are especially grateful to our major partners including Amgen Biotechnology, the Swiss Alabama Children’s Foundation, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), SNF, and other valued sponsors,” she stated.

Madam Desu outlined the organization’s four core strategic pillars: early and accurate diagnosis, treatment and care, child well-being and family support, and advocacy.

She explained that World Child Cancer provides extensive training to healthcare professionals—doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and radiologists—to ensure timely and effective diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancers.

In partnership with institutions like the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons and international training partners such as the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh and Boston Children's Hospital, the organization continues to build capacity through on-the-job training and knowledge-sharing visits.

She also emphasized the emotional toll of cancer on children and families, pointing out that the organization provides direct financial aid to cover diagnostic tests, treatment, transport, and nutrition.

“We provide ready-to-use therapeutic foods, counseling services, play items, and educational materials. We ensure children continue to learn, heal, and grow even while undergoing treatment,” she noted.

One of the mcollaboration with Lifeline for Child Cancer, World Child Cancer provides income-generating activities—such as weaving and hairdressing—for mothers and guardians who must stay with their children during long hospital stays.

This helps families remain economically active and emotionally supported during treatment.

Madam Desu also proudly announced a scholarship initiative for survivors of childhood cancer.

“We offer educational and vocational scholarships to help survivors reintegrate into society. It's a holistic model—we treat, we support, and we empower,” she added.

She concluded by acknowledging the pioneering MSc. Health Care Play Therapy program as a groundbreaking step toward integrating psychosocial care into pediatric cancer treatment and expressed gratitude to all partners for helping shape a future where every child with cancer gets a fighting chance.

Taking his turn, Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, Director of Human Resources for Health at the Ministry, commended the University of Ghana, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), World Child Cancer, and other key partners for pioneering the program.

He noted that the initiative fills a critical gap in the country’s healthcare system by addressing the emotional and psychological needs of children, particularly those battling serious illnesses like cancer.

“This programme enhances resilience, reduces anxiety and emotional distress, and fosters better communication between young patients, caregivers, and health professionals,” Dr. Taher said.

He emphasized that the program aligns with the Ministry’s strategic goals, including integrating mental health at all levels of care, developing a child-sensitive health workforce, and promoting compassionate, people-centered services in line with the Universal Health Coverage agenda and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Ministry has supported the initiative from its early stages—working with World Child Cancer on field assessments, facilitating accreditation, and coordinating with the Ghana Health Service and Psychology Council to ensure smooth integration of graduates into the health workforce.

Dr. Taher also expressed appreciation to Amgen Biotechnology for its sponsorship, urging for an expansion in training opportunities for Ghanaian professionals.

“The Minister of Health fully endorses this programme and is committed to scaling it up nationwide through policy, partnerships, and resource mobilization,” he added.

"Together, we will transform child mental health care across Ghana.”

The program will train professionals to provide therapeutic play interventions in pediatric wards, cancer clinics, rehabilitation centers, and community health facilities—ensuring that children receive not just medical treatment, but also dignity, empathy, and emotional support.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith