The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) has successfully conducted a large-scale breast cancer awareness and screening exercise at the Kejetia Market, reaching hundreds of women with critical health education and free clinical examinations. The event, held on Thursday, forms part of activities to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and reflects the Assembly’s commitment to preventive healthcare and community well-being.
Leading the initiative was the Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori-Agyeman Boadi, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Dorcas Ofori-Agyeman Boadi. The couple, along with senior officials and staff of the Assembly, joined health professionals and volunteers in engaging market women and traders in education and screening efforts aimed at promoting early detection of breast cancer.
In his address to participants, Mayor Ofori-Agyeman Boadi stressed the urgency of regular breast screening and the life-saving potential of early detection. He noted that breast cancer continues to be a leading cause of death among women in Ghana, yet many cases go undetected until it is too late.
“Today is about saving lives. We are here because early detection can make the difference between life and death. Many of our mothers, sisters, and daughters in the markets do not get the opportunity for regular medical checks. That’s why we’ve brought these services directly to them,” he said.
He added that the KMA is committed to supporting public health beyond infrastructure and sanitation, placing equal emphasis on community education, screening, and health access—particularly for vulnerable populations.
Mrs. Dorcas Ofori-Agyeman Boadi also delivered a message of encouragement, urging the women to pay attention to their health and not dismiss changes in their bodies. She emphasised the importance of routine breast self-examinations and seeking professional medical help whenever abnormalities are noticed.
The screening exercise was conducted by qualified medical professionals who offered free clinical breast examinations, counselling, and guidance on how to perform self-examinations. Participants also received education on breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and lifestyle changes that can help reduce risk.
For many of the women in attendance, it was their first-ever breast cancer screening. The atmosphere at Kejetia Market was one of gratitude and relief, as women from all sections of the market lined up for screening and took part in health education sessions.
Several participants expressed profound appreciation to the KMA for bringing the initiative to their doorstep. Some traders shared personal experiences with breast-related health issues and explained how the lack of access or awareness had previously prevented them from seeking help.
“This is the first time in my life that I have been screened for breast cancer,” said Abena Serwaa, a plantain seller. “I have always been afraid of hospitals, but today the hospital came to me. I am truly grateful.”
Another trader, Madam Afia Konadu, remarked, “What the Assembly has done today is more than an event; it is a blessing. I have learned things I never knew. This education alone is powerful.”
Also present at the event was Mr. Jones Kani, Acting Metro Coordinating Director, along with various department heads and Assembly staff. Their involvement demonstrated high-level support for the initiative and underscored the Assembly’s collective effort to improve public health outcomes in Kumasi.
The Kejetia Market, the largest open-air market in West Africa, provided a strategic location for the campaign, ensuring access to a large number of women from diverse backgrounds. The choice of venue also highlighted the Assembly’s effort to reach women in the informal sector, who are often underserved by the traditional healthcare system.
Today’s exercise is part of a broader, ongoing health campaign by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly aimed at increasing public awareness about non-communicable diseases, especially among women. The campaign is in line with national health objectives and supports Ghana’s effort to reduce cancer-related mortality through community-level education and accessible screening services.
The event is also being promoted on social media under the hashtags #GetCheckToday and #WhereGhanaHappens, with a call to action encouraging all women to prioritise their health by undergoing regular screening and spreading awareness within their communities.
With hundreds of women screened, empowered, and educated, the breast cancer awareness programme at Kejetia Market marks a significant milestone in KMA’s public health advocacy efforts. It reinforces the critical message that early detection saves lives—and that every woman deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of where she works or lives.
