Renowned oncologist and Founder of Breast Care International and Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, has revealed that Ghana recorded 27,385 new cancer cases and 17,944 cancer-related deaths in 2022.
She disclosed this at a fundraising dinner in Maryland, USA, organized in support of the proposed Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence (CCCoE), aimed at strengthening cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and training in Ghana.
According to Dr. Wiafe Addai, Ghana currently has no comprehensive cancer centre, while over 400 million West Africans lack access to oncology services. She noted that Ghanaian patients spend an estimated US$10 million annually seeking cancer treatment abroad.
She said the proposed centre was born out of years of witnessing patients struggle with late diagnosis, limited treatment options and huge financial burden, with some families forced to sell their assets to pay medical bills.
The centre, located at Kwaso near Kumasi in the Ashanti Region, is intended to bring screening, diagnosis, treatment, research, training and compassionate care under one roof, where specialists including surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and nurses can work together.
The vision has received the blessing of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and is described as a legacy project to transform cancer care in Ghana and Africa.
At the Maryland event, Dr. Wiafe Addai appealed to the Ghanaian and African diaspora, foundations, corporations and philanthropists to support the project, which has donor categories ranging from community contributions up to US$24,999 to the Royal Founder category of US$2 million and above.
She stressed that the goal is not just to build another hospital, but to create an institution that will change the experience of cancer patients and reduce preventable deaths.
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