A rural development group in Ghana is calling for a law to guarantee affordable breast cancer diagnosis and treatment for all women. The Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development (BIRDD) says that despite awareness campaigns, breast cancer care remains concentrated in Accra and Kumasi, leaving women in rural communities at a disadvantage. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Ghana recorded 5,487 new breast cancer cases and 2,695 deaths in 2024.
BIRDD Executive Director Dr Anane Agyei stated that public education campaigns alone will not reduce the death toll unless backed by guaranteed access to diagnosis and treatment. He noted that the clustering of specialized health facilities in Accra and Kumasi creates a structural problem, making it difficult for women in rural areas and those in the informal sector to access care. Dr Agyei emphasized that timely access to diagnosis and treatment is crucial for survival.
The BIRDD's call for a legally binding framework adds to the ongoing conversation about breast cancer in Ghana. The country's health sector has been losing nearly 2,000 women annually to the disease. Additionally, nearly one in four breast cancer cases across Africa affect women under 40. Former Vice-President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang recently joined calls for wider cancer care access.
The current setup in Ghana means that women outside Accra and Kumasi often face significant barriers to accessing breast cancer care. A diagnosis requires travel, time off work, and money that many in the informal sector do not have. BIRDD argues that without a binding legal commitment to affordable care, the gap between women who can access specialist facilities and those who cannot will persist.
The BIRDD's proposal shifts the conversation from fundraising and awareness to a demand for a legal guarantee of access. The group is pressing for improved health access for underserved communities. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) compiles global cancer incidence and mortality data used by health authorities and advocacy groups worldwide.
It is unclear whether the Ghanaian government has responded to BIRDD's demand or if any legislative process is underway to create a framework guaranteeing affordable breast cancer care. No timeline has been given for when, or whether, the proposed law might be considered. The Ghanaian Times reported on BIRDD's call, but details on the government's response are still awaited.
The push for a law guaranteeing breast cancer care for all women in Ghana highlights the need for equitable access to healthcare. The outcome of BIRDD's call remains to be seen, but the group's efforts aim to bring attention to the disparities in breast cancer care and the need for a comprehensive solution to address them.
Key points
- BIRDD demands a legally binding framework to guarantee affordable breast cancer diagnosis and treatment for all women in Ghana.
- Ghana recorded 5,487 new breast cancer cases and 2,695 deaths in 2024, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
- The clustering of specialized health facilities in Accra and Kumasi creates a structural problem, making it difficult for women in rural areas to access care.
