In a powerful display of public health advocacy and community engagement, hundreds of women at the Kejetia Market in Kumasi participated in a free breast cancer screening and awareness drive organised by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA). The initiative, held on Thursday, marks a significant step in the ongoing fight against breast cancer and highlights the Assembly’s commitment to safeguarding women’s health across the Metropolis.
The event was led by the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, alongside his wife, Mrs. Dorcas Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, and brought together health professionals, Assembly officials, and traders in a shared effort to promote early detection and preventive care. Organised as part of activities commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the campaign provided women—many of whom had never undergone a breast examination before—with free clinical screening and critical education on breast health.
Addressing the gathering, Mayor Ofori-Agyeman Boadi underscored the importance of early detection in reducing breast cancer-related deaths. He noted that although breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality among women in Ghana, many cases go undiagnosed due to lack of access to screening, limited awareness, and cultural stigma. He said the Assembly was determined to change that narrative.
“This is more than a screening event—it is a call to action,” the Mayor said. “We are here to bring healthcare closer to the people, to educate, to screen, and ultimately to save lives. Every woman deserves the chance to detect illness early and seek timely treatment. Today, Kejetia has shown that awareness must be followed by action.”
His wife, Mrs. Dorcas Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, who personally engaged with many of the market women, emphasised the need for routine breast self-examinations and encouraged the traders not to ignore warning signs or symptoms. She also urged them to share the knowledge gained with others in their homes and communities, so the impact of the campaign could extend beyond the market space.
Health professionals were on site throughout the day, offering free clinical breast examinations, one-on-one consultations, and educational demonstrations on breast self-examination techniques. Participants also received vital information on the symptoms of breast cancer, risk factors, prevention strategies, and treatment options. For many women, the event marked their first experience with a professional breast screening.
The response from market women was overwhelmingly positive. Traders, porters, and vendors of all ages joined long queues throughout the morning and afternoon, eager to take part in the life-saving opportunity. For some, it was a moment of relief; for others, a wake-up call.
“I had always feared going to the hospital, and I didn’t know what signs to look for,” said Adwoa Mensima, a clothing vendor. “Now I know what to check and what to do if I feel something unusual. I thank the Assembly from the bottom of my heart.”
Another trader, Maame Efua, said, “This program has removed fear from my heart. We now understand that early detection gives us a fighting chance. We are very grateful to the Mayor and his team.”
Also present at the programme was Mr. Jones Kani, Acting Metro Coordinating Director, along with heads of departments, unit heads, and staff of the Assembly. Their active involvement reflected the KMA’s whole-of-government approach to health promotion, and a shared belief that preventive care must be made accessible and affordable to every citizen, especially the vulnerable.
The Kejetia Market, often described as the commercial heartbeat of Kumasi, provided the ideal venue for the outreach. As one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa, it draws thousands of traders daily, many of whom are women who otherwise lack access to basic medical services due to financial constraints, time limitations, or a lack of awareness.
Thursday’s event was part of a broader city-wide campaign being rolled out by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a focus on community-based outreach, screening, and education. The campaign is being amplified under the national hashtags #GetCheckToday and #WhereGhanaHappens, aimed at encouraging women across the country to prioritise their health and embrace early detection as a life-saving choice.
The Mayor, in closing, reaffirmed the KMA’s commitment to delivering health-focused programmes that directly impact lives, noting that the success of the Kejetia screening drive is a clear indication of what is possible when leadership meets compassion and action.
“When we empower our women with knowledge and access to healthcare, we strengthen our entire society. The health of our market women is the health of Kumasi. We will continue this mission, one community at a time,” he said.
The campaign continues to gain momentum, and the message remains clear: from awareness must come action—and from action, lives will be saved.
