Author: Maame Owusuaa Oppong
As the world marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the MTN Ghana Y’ello Ladies Network has taken its campaign directly to market women in Accra with a major health screening and education drive.
The global campaign every October promotes early detection, education and support for those affected by the disease, which remains the most common cancer among women in Ghana.
According to health data, breast cancer accounts for between 18.1% and 31% of all cancer cases in Ghana, with about 4,482 new cases diagnosed annually and over 2,055 deaths recorded each year.
Health experts warn that more than 60% of cases in Ghana are diagnosed at late stages – Stage 3 or 4 – a situation that significantly lowers survival rates and makes early education critical.
It is against this background that the MTN Y’ello Ladies Network, a women’s empowerment group within MTN Ghana, organized the awareness event at Makola, bringing doctors, survivors and volunteers together.
The Founder and President of Breast Care International and CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, who was the main speaker, said regular checks are key to reducing deaths.
“The high rate of breast cancer deaths we are recording can be reduced if women make it a habit to have regular checks. Early detection saves lives,” Dr. Wiafe Addai said.
She lamented that many cases in Ghana are shrouded in superstition and myths, which she described as ignorance that is costing lives.
“Very often, when women find a lump, they associate it with spiritual attacks or curses. This is ignorance. The cause of breast cancer remains unknown, but there are risk factors that can be managed and prevented,” she told the gathering.
She urged women, especially the youth, to adopt healthy lifestyles as a preventive measure.
“I want to advise all women, especially our young girls, to desist from unhealthy lifestyles – excessive alcohol, smoking, poor diet – and practice safe measures, including monthly self-examination and yearly clinical screening,” she stressed.
On her part, the Chief Finance Officer of MTN Ghana and Chairlady of the Y’ello Ladies Network, Antoinette Kwofie, said the network decided to bring healthcare to the doorstep of market women.
“As Y’ello Ladies, our mandate is to empower women and promote the welfare of women everywhere. For this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we decided to bring healthcare to the doorsteps of market women,” Mrs. Kwofie said.
She explained that market women are often left out of such education campaigns despite being at risk.
“Our vision is to positively impact as many women as possible, but we realized that market women are mostly not educated when it comes to breast cancer. Many don’t know the signs or where to seek help,” she added.
She also cautioned against superstition and called for regular screening.
“Do not be too superstitious about breast cancer. A lump in the breast is not a spiritual attack. Please go for periodic checks. It is better to check early than to regret late,” she advised.
The Y’ello Ladies Network, which was launched in 2025, also announced a major intervention to support patients.
According to Mrs. Kwofie, the network has donated GH¢200,000 to support breast cancer treatment for patients in need.
“The funds will help patients cover critical aspects of care not fully paid for by the National Health Insurance Scheme, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy,” she said.
She said MTN Ghana, through its women’s network, remains committed to championing women’s health and wellbeing beyond the month of October.
