Accra, Oct. 23. Mrs Maame Efua Houadjeto, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), has called on women across the country to prioritise their health by undergoing regular medical check-ups, particularly for cancer. Speaking at a breast cancer awareness and screening exercise organised by the GTA in Accra, Mrs Houadjeto stressed the critical importance of early detection through timely screening.
“Some people don’t even get the urgency to come and check. Time is so important because the earlier it is noticed, the better it is for you. When it is noticed early, something can be done to save you. But when it gets to stage three or four, then you are a goner,” she noted.
The event offered free medical screenings for breast cancer, blood pressure, diabetes, and other vital checks and was attended by staff, survivors, tourism stakeholders, and medical professionals from the Ablade Medical Centre. Mrs Houadjeto emphasised that while the exact causes of breast cancer remain uncertain, regular screening is key. “We do not even know the exact cause, so please, live your life, but keep checking,” she urged.
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Acknowledging the pivotal roles women play in families and communities, not only as financial contributors but also as managers of the home, the CEO encouraged women to take advantage of the free screenings and to invite others to participate. “Call a friend, a sister, a mother, let them come. It is not just our breasts. We get tired as women. Check your blood pressure. Sometimes we do not even know when we have diabetes,” she said. She added that protecting women’s health is central to building a healthy nation.
Madam Comfort Owusu, a former GTA staff member and breast cancer survivor, shared her journey, emphasising that early detection saved her life despite losing one breast. For the past 15 years, she has lived a normal life and is now engaged in advocacy and counselling for women in similar conditions, appealing for support from well-meaning Ghanaians.
In response, Mrs Houadjeto pledged GTA’s support for Madam Owusu’s campaign, noting that instead of making a donation to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, the Authority would assist her ongoing efforts to help others. Madam Owusu expressed profound gratitude for the unexpected support, saying, “Sometimes I do not even have food, but I have to give out the little I have to help others. I am so grateful. I never expected this.”
The initiative underscores GTA’s commitment to supporting public health programs that protect and empower women, recognising that a healthy nation begins with healthy homes.
