In a significant stride toward advancing public health and safeguarding the lives of women, the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), under the leadership of Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, has hosted a free breast cancer screening and awareness exercise at the Kejetia Market, the largest trading hub in West Africa. The outreach, held as part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, drew hundreds of market women and traders who received free clinical examinations and health education.
The event was designed to encourage early detection, a proven strategy for reducing breast cancer mortality. It brought together medical professionals, public health educators, Assembly staff, and community leaders in a collaborative effort to improve access to screening services for women, especially those working in the informal sector who often face barriers to healthcare.
Addressing participants during the outreach, Mayor Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi highlighted the importance of early diagnosis in saving lives and reducing the burden of treatment. He emphasized that early detection remains the most effective tool in fighting breast cancer, which continues to be one of the leading causes of death among women in Ghana.
“This screening exercise is not just an event—it is a life-saving intervention. We are committed to ensuring that every woman, regardless of her social or economic status, has access to preventive healthcare,” the Mayor said. “Early detection saves lives, and that is the message we are championing here today.”
Accompanying the Mayor was his wife, Mrs. Dorcas Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, who took an active role in the campaign. She encouraged the women to take personal responsibility for their health and to make breast self-examinations a routine practice. She also reminded participants that breast cancer, when detected early, is treatable and does not have to be a death sentence.
Throughout the day, medical professionals offered free clinical breast examinations, consultations, and counselling. Health education sessions were held to teach women how to conduct breast self-examinations and recognize the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Informational brochures were distributed in local languages to ensure wider understanding.
The market women, many of whom had never undergone a breast screening before, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Assembly for bringing essential health services to their doorstep. For most, the event was not just informative but empowering.
“Today I was screened for the first time in my life,” said Mansa Nyarko, a trader at Kejetia. “I now understand how important it is to check myself regularly. This education could save my life or someone else’s.”
Another participant, Akosua Dapaah, added, “We thank the Mayor and his wife. They didn’t just talk—they came to us with real help. We hope more of these programs come our way.”
Also present was Mr. Jones Kani, Acting Metro Coordinating Director, along with department heads, unit heads, and staff of the KMA, who lent their support to the event. Their collective presence demonstrated the Assembly’s institutional backing and commitment to community health.
The choice of Kejetia Market as the venue for the exercise was strategic. As one of the busiest commercial centers in Ghana, it is home to thousands of female traders, many of whom are unable to take time off for hospital visits. Bringing healthcare services directly to them eliminated access barriers and allowed for greater community participation.
The breast screening campaign is part of a broader public health agenda led by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly to promote preventive healthcare, reduce cancer-related deaths, and improve overall health literacy among residents. It also aligns with national efforts under the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service to decentralize access to non-communicable disease (NCD) interventions.
To further amplify the campaign’s reach, the KMA is encouraging citizens to use the hashtags #GetCheckToday and #WhereGhanaHappens to spread awareness across social media and within their local communities.
The success of the Kejetia Market screening underscores the power of community-based outreach and the role of local government in transforming public health. By prioritizing early detection and making healthcare more accessible, the KMA continues to demonstrate its commitment to protecting lives—one community at a time.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, the Assembly is expected to roll out similar programs in other markets and suburbs across Kumasi, ensuring that no woman is left behind in the fight against cancer.
