"Transforming cancer care in Ghana has been long overdue" – Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai

Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, Chief Executive Officer and Consultant Breast Surgeon at the Peace and Love Hospital, has issued a clarion call for a national reset in Ghana’s approach to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

According to her, the transformation of cancer care in the country “has been long overdue,” given the rising burden of the disease and the increasing number of families affected nationwide.

Speaking on Day Two of the 2025 National Cancer Forum in Accra, Dr. Wiafe Addai challenged policymakers and health sector actors to confront long-held misconceptions that have slowed progress in cancer control.

She noted that for many years, cancer was wrongly perceived as “that woman’s problem” or “that patient’s problem,” leading to limited public attention and delayed investments in national cancer systems.

“Today, cancer has come so close to all of us—our homes, our workplaces, our communities,” she said. “Its impact has made the work of advocates easier, but also far more urgent.”

Dr. Wiafe Addai, who also serves as President and Founder of Breast Care International and is recognised globally for her advocacy work, urged Ghana to draw lessons from international civil society organizations that have shaped global cancer policy and community engagement.

She cited the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the NCD Alliance as key examples of civil society-led institutions that have successfully influenced policies, expanded access to care, and strengthened survivor support systems in various regions.

“We do not need to reinvent the wheel,” she emphasized"

“There are effective models across the world. What we must do is adapt them to our context with commitment and urgency.”

Dr. Wiafe Addai described civil society organizations (CSOs) as indispensable partners in the cancer care ecosystem.

She likened them to consumer protection agencies, explaining that they understand community realities, work closely with patients and survivors, and ensure that voices from the ground inform national decision-making.

“Civil society is not detached from the people,” she said.

“They are in the hospitals, in the communities, in the homes of patients. They are often the bridge between the health system and the citizen.”

She highlighted their role in public education, community mobilization, early detection campaigns, and patient navigation services that help individuals move from diagnosis to treatment without being lost in the system.

Addressing the cultural and religious barriers that continue to impede early detection, Dr. Wiafe Addai argued that bold and persistent advocacy remains necessary.

She revealed that many cancer patients, especially those with breast cancer, still hide in prayer camps and only seek care after extensive public awareness campaigns—particularly after the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“You cannot change deeply rooted perceptions by whispering,” she said.

“People are still arriving at the hospital when it is far too late. So if noise-making will save lives, why shouldn’t we shout? Why shouldn’t we educate boldly?”

Dr. Wiafe Addai welcomed the presence of health professionals, policymakers, development partners, and CSOs at the forum, saying their collective engagement was critical for long-term progress.

She stressed that cancer control must be understood as a shared responsibility.

“Cancer is a joint venture—not one person’s responsibility,” she remarked. “If a community does not have a treatment centre, civil society and local leaders can still help build the bridge that connects patients to care. No one should suffer alone.”

She noted that the absence of strong social support systems places significant strain on patients, caregivers, and families. Many, she said, struggle financially and emotionally throughout the treatment journey.

As part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on patients, Dr. Wiafe Addai called for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to be enrolled in the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.

She argued that those who travel long distances for treatment deserve temporary financial support until they complete therapy.

“Once they finish treatment, they can exit the programme and new patients can be enrolled,” she suggested. “This is something we can do ourselves without reliance on donor funding.”

Dr. Wiafe Addai made a strong appeal for a comprehensive national roadmap that guarantees sustainable prevention, effective early detection, and equitable treatment for all Ghanaians—regardless of where they live.

“A woman in a village should receive the same quality of care as a woman in Accra,” she said. “Geography should not determine survival.”

She urged stakeholders to view civil society not as an obstacle but as a catalyst capable of amplifying and accelerating existing national efforts.

With strong collaboration, she said, Ghana can build a more resilient and equitable cancer care system.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith