World Child Cancer Ghana educates Kaneshie traders

The Ghana Programme of World Child Cancer, a not-for-profit organisation has organised an outreach at the Kaneshie Market in Accra to mark International Childhood Cancer Day. 

The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the early warning signs and symptoms of childhood cancer. The organisation also educated traders in early detection and referral pathways.

The event was organised last Saturday as part of ongoing efforts to ensure early detection and treatment for affected children and families across the country.

Aligning with the 2025 International Childhood Cancer Day theme, the outreach was held on the theme: ‘Inspiring Action, Building on Insights To Develop Actionable Solutions’.

In an interview with the Daily Graphic, the Country Coordinator of World Child Cancer Ghana, Adwoa Pinamang Boateng Desu, stressed the urgent need to address childhood cancer in Ghana.

 Approach

The country coordinator further mentioned that the organisation applies a four-way approach to fighting childhood cancer in Ghana, which includes early and accurate diagnosis, specialist training, direct financial and emotional support for children and families as well as advocacy.

Mrs Desu explained that the organisation regularly trained healthcare professionals to identify early signs of childhood cancer to ensure prompt referrals.

"We also collaborate with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Ghana College of Pharmacists and the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives to train paediatric oncology specialists who provide modern cancer treatment.

"The cost of childhood cancer treatment remains high, so we provide funds to cover aspects of diagnostics and treatment for nine treatments and shared-care facilities across the country.

We also provide emotional support and transportation allowance for caregivers to ensure children stay in treatment and reduce abandonment," she added.

Awareness Creation

The outreach at Kaneshie Market formed part of efforts to bring information directly to the public.

Mrs Desu stressed that misconceptions about childhood cancer often lead families to seek treatment from herbalists, prayer camps, or shrines.

"We explained referral pathways to ensure children receive medical care instead of alternative treatments," Mrs Desu said.

She underscored the importance of community involvement, stating: "We are going from market to market, door to door, so more people understand the challenges childhood cancer presents."

Support

She urged the government, corporate bodies and individuals to commit more resources to childhood cancer treatment.

"It takes a whole village to raise a child. Donations, corporate social responsibility initiatives and government support will help tackle childhood cancer," she said.

She acknowledged the progress made in 2022 when four childhood cancers were added to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) but insisted that more needed to be done.

The organisation continues to assist cancer survivors through secondary school, university and vocational training.

"We provided scholarships to 10 survivors last year, and this year, we increased it to 16," Mrs Desu said.

She described childhood cancer as a growing public health threat, with rising cases in Ghana.

"The numbers keep increasing, so all hands must be on deck to support the fight against childhood cancers in Ghana," she added.