The Rotary Club of Accra-East, in collaboration with 16 Rotary Clubs, 4 Rotaract Clubs, and 7 partner organisations, organised a successful breast and cervical cancer screening exercise on Saturday, 11 October 2025, at the Madina Market. The outreach attracted over 170 market women and shoppers eager to learn, get screened, and take charge of their health.
Health professionals at the event educated participants on the importance of regular self-examinations and routine screenings, particularly for women aged 40 and above. Many women expressed deep appreciation for the initiative, with some admitting it was their first time undergoing a breast or cervical examination. The atmosphere was filled with relief, gratitude and renewed determination to prioritise personal health.
A health talk delivered by one of the medical practitioners highlighted the importance of early detection, balanced nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices in reducing cancer risk. The session empowered attendees to make informed decisions about their well-being.
Speaking during the exercise, Rotarian Mary Elorm Addo, President of the Rotary Club of Accra-East, explained that the goal was not only to offer free screenings but also to raise sustained awareness about the early detection of breast cancer in Ghana.
She noted that they made the event free to the public, which resulted in over 170 women being screened for breast and cervical cancer, with about 35 abnormalities detected. She added that the campaign aligns with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed globally every October, and is part of their broader effort to promote health and save lives through early detection.
President of the Rotary Club of Accra-Legon East, Rotarian Emmanuel Sessou, commended the government’s commitment to dedicating October to breast cancer awareness but urged deeper community involvement. He said awareness must go beyond policy and reach every home and every community. He called on churches, mosques and all religious leaders to join the campaign, noting that their influence is powerful and can help spread the message that breast cancer affects everyone, including men.
Alongside the breast screenings, over 40 women were screened for cervical cancer. For many, it was their first time accessing such services, and they expressed joy and relief at the opportunity. Participants were also offered free blood pressure and blood sugar checks.
One of the beneficiaries, Madam Juliet Obeng, expressed gratitude and urged other women to prioritise their health. She encouraged all women to get their breasts screened at least once a year and said she was grateful to Rotary for bringing the initiative to the market, hoping they would return every year to continue raising awareness.
President of the Rotary Club of Accra-Legon, Rotarian Delasie Torgbegah, also commended the initiative’s success, describing it as a practical expression of Rotary’s commitment to community health. He said their goal was not only to raise awareness but to actively contribute to the well-being of mothers and sisters at the market. He added that they were proud to have made a difference and looked forward to expanding the impact in the coming years.
Following the success of this year’s Save the Tatas Project, a joint breast and cervical cancer screening campaign, the participating Rotary Clubs announced plans to scale up the initiative to reach more communities each year.
Partner organisations, including Stanbic Bank Ghana, La Nkwantanang-Madina Health Directorate, Theos Medical Concierge, The Health Project, Nightingale School of Nursing, Keukenhof Tulpen and Pantang Hospital expressed pride in collaborating on such a meaningful cause. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting early detection initiatives that save lives.
Participating clubs included the Rotary Clubs of Accra-East, Accra Legon East, Accra Speakmasters, Accra Legon, Accra-Airport East, Accra Dzorwulu, Accra Teshie Nungua, Accra South, Accra North Kaneshie, Osu Oxford Street, Accra Westlands, Akosombo Dam City, Accra North, Accra Achimota, Accra Trinity, Accra Airport Enclave, Rotary Ghana Alumni Association and the Rotaract Clubs of Accra Adentan, Wisconsin International University College, UPSA and Accra East.
