In recent decades, October has been concretized as Breast Cancer Awareness month, or Pink October. Although rates of breast cancer awareness and action are reportedly higher in the Global North, health actors in the Global South are also increasing efforts in advocacy for education around its existence and treatment. ICED's work aims to enhance lives and livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa and to increase impact by partnering with and supporting stakeholders in accessing accurate and contextually relevant research that can shape policies and programs. On October 10, 2024, at the invitation of Breast Care International (BCI), ICED's CEO, Dr. David Ameyaw joined one such group of likeminded stakeholders at Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, in Accra, Ghana, for a fundraising event aimed at taking action against increasing cancer prevalence in the country.
As is the case in most developing countries, Ghana lacks a facility that can address the growing burden of cancer's ravaging effects on young and old citizens. The Thursday evening fundraising event was organized by BCI with the aim of funding the establishment of the future Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence, a collaborative initiative with Global Heath Catalyst Summit (GHCS) and the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation.
Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, BCI founder and award-winning breast cancer specialist, opened the evening with a rousing, heartfelt speech to all guests and supporters. She shared her experience of working with cancer patients and the devastating effects that she had witnessed on victims of the disease as young as 14 years of age. Concluding her speech, she reminded guests to "come together for the sake of Sub-Saharan Africa. Our story is not encouraging but we can change it!".
As the keynote speaker, ICED's CEO and BCI board member, Dr. David Ameyaw led a presentation on the importance of investing in intentional context-relevant research on cancer. He emphasized the need for African-led research, noting that the lack of awareness was also due to lack of accurate statistics that could inform better policies and practices for prevention and treatment. Concluding his speech, he affirmed that ICED remains dedicated to providing all stakeholders with evidence-based decision-making products and tools that would support the impactful work of BCI and the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence.
The event brought together notable guests such as Nana Prof. Hiahene Oheneba Boakye Agyei Owoahene, Chairman, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation; Nana Diana Afua Krobea Asantewaa, first female Adontenhene (Chief) of Kwahu Mpraeso; Kobina Annan, former Ghana-Morocco ambassador and brother to the late Kofi Annan; Hanno Barkhoff, General Manager of Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City Accra; and Dr. Lawrencia Bawuah Dsane, GHCS Member and BCI Board Member.
Other key guests included Katrina McGhee, Executive VP and Chief Marketing Officer, American Heart Association; Prof. Wilfred Ngwa, Founding Director, Global Health Catalyst; Ralph Albus, Director of Global Communications – Commercial, Delta; and a group of VIP guests—Ghanaian breast cancer survivors. The evening offered several delights such as the lively musical stylings of Akosua Agyapong, a popular Ghanaian highlife singer and T.V. personality and an extensive buffet spread offered by Kempinski's accomplished chefs.
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With a portion of the program dedicated to raising funds, the fundraising event was deemed a success. In his speech committing funds to the Cancer Centre and encouraging fellow guests to donate, Prof. Ngwa stated, "They say 'opportunity finds those who are ready'. And we are ready; all of us sitting here, today". Guests opened their hearts and wallets, galvanized by an energetic MC and the moving speeches of the various speakers.
The following day, Friday, October 11, a delegation of BCI board members, partners, and friends traveled to Kumasi for the sod cutting at the construction site of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence. The delegation included attendees from the previous day's fundraiser, including Dr. Ameyaw, who gave another speech on behalf of ICED. Attendees of the literal and figurative groundbreaking event were honoured by the presence of representatives of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation.
Following the successful Thursday fundraiser, ICED welcomed Dr. Lawrencia Bawuah Dsane, BCI Board Member and gynecological oncologist, at its Ghana branch. She took time to meet with ICED's research and communications departments, exploring some of the initial research they had undertaken on cancer, as part of Dr. Ameyaw's keynote presentation. Conversations flowed around the need for better data and statistics relevant to Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Ghana, and the negative impact that lack of awareness bore on the Ghanaian population. The meeting with Dr. Lawrencia concluded with the emphasis that ICED would continue its commitment to providing better evidence for enhancing lives and livelihoods.
Breast Care International (BCI) is a Ghanaian non-governmental organization dedicated to advocacy of cancer in Ghana and Africa, as well as prevention and treatment of the killer disease. Founded in 2002 by Dr. (Mrs) Beatrice Wiafe Addai, a world-renowned and award-winning breast cancer specialist, BCI focuses on the creation of innovative programs for awareness—such as the annual BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure—as well as supporting training for cancer practitioners, fundraising for essential medicines and equipment, investing in life-changing research, and building partnerships with organizations that can further the outreach and impact of all BCI's activities.
