Asafo Market Women Applaud KMA for Championing Breast Cancer Awareness and Health Education
Market women at the Asafo Market in Kumasi have commended the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) for its exceptional commitment to women’s health through a breast and prostate cancer awareness and screening exercise held in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Kumasi Premier International. The initiative, organized as part of activities marking the Global Pink Month campaign under the theme “Early Detection Saves Lives,” sought to promote early diagnosis and create awareness about the prevention and management of breast and prostate cancers among traders and residents of the Metropolis.
The outreach drew hundreds of traders, particularly market women, who eagerly participated in the free screening and health education program. Medical experts from partner institutions offered professional screening services, provided personalized consultations, and delivered intensive health education sessions on cancer prevention, early signs and symptoms, and the need for regular medical check-ups. The exercise aimed to encourage early detection, promote a culture of preventive healthcare, and reduce the growing number of cancer-related deaths in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking on behalf of the Kumasi Mayor, Mrs. Raiza Baba, Assistant Director at the KMA, emphasized the Assembly’s dedication to improving community health and well-being through proactive partnerships and awareness creation. She explained that the KMA recognizes the critical role women play in society and therefore considers their health a key priority in its developmental agenda.
Mrs. Baba urged the market women to take charge of their health by making regular screening a routine practice rather than waiting until symptoms appear before visiting a hospital. She reminded participants that while faith and prayer remain essential aspects of life, they must go hand in hand with proactive healthcare practices such as early detection and timely treatment. She commended the Rotary Club of Kumasi Premier International for partnering with the KMA to implement such a life-saving initiative, stressing that the Assembly would continue to support programs that safeguard the health of its residents.
The President of the Rotary Club of Kumasi Premier International, Mr. Avinash Lakhani, expressed appreciation to the KMA for the fruitful collaboration and reaffirmed Rotary’s unwavering commitment to improving community health through service. He noted that the screening exercise was not a one-off event but part of Rotary’s broader goal to sustain public health education and make medical screening more accessible to vulnerable groups, especially women in the informal sector. Mr. Lakhani announced that the club would continue to roll out similar outreach initiatives across other markets and communities within and beyond Kumasi.
He reiterated that the fight against cancer must be a collective responsibility, emphasizing that education, early detection, and lifestyle modification remain the most effective tools in combating the disease. According to him, Rotary International remains devoted to supporting such impactful community programs that touch lives and foster healthier societies.
The market women, in expressing their gratitude, lauded the KMA and the Rotary Club of Kumasi Premier International for demonstrating genuine concern for their well-being. They described the exercise as an eye-opener and a timely intervention that had given them access to free medical services and valuable health information. Some beneficiaries said the education they received had dispelled myths and misconceptions surrounding cancer, while others pledged to encourage their families and peers to prioritize regular medical screening.
One of the beneficiaries, Madam Akosua Frimpomaa, a vegetable trader, praised the organizers for bringing healthcare directly to their doorstep, describing the initiative as “a blessing that has saved many from ignorance and fear.” She added that the knowledge gained from the program had inspired her to adopt a healthier lifestyle and to share the message of early detection with her colleagues.
The successful breast and prostate cancer screening exercise at Asafo Market highlights the growing recognition of the importance of public-private collaboration in promoting community health. It also reinforces the global message that early detection remains the most powerful weapon against cancer.
As the world continues to commemorate Pink Month, the efforts of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Rotary Club of Kumasi Premier International stand as a shining example of how awareness, education, and collective responsibility can save lives and foster a healthier, more informed society.
