The Cure Childhood Cancer Ghana Foundation, in partnership with the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), has launched the Go Yellow Campaign to support children with cancer. The campaign aims to raise funds for the treatment and care of children with cancer. It was launched to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which included a funfair at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park. During the event, about 10 children who had completed cancer treatment were celebrated.
Dr. Nihad Salifu, Head of Paediatric Oncology at Ridge Hospital, highlighted the challenges faced by the hospital's paediatric oncology unit. The unit started three years ago with four beds and still operates with the same capacity, despite the number of patients increasing from 10 to more than 40 annually. As a result, the unit sometimes administers treatment in the playroom, with children sitting in chairs for several hours.
The Go Yellow Campaign seeks to mobilize one million Ghanaians to donate GH¢10 monthly to support tests, treatment, counselling, and transportation for children with cancer. Dr. Salifu noted that the Ghana Medical Trust Fund currently covers five childhood cancers, while children with other forms of cancer still require financial support. Treatment for childhood cancer can take several months to three years.
Dr. Adam Zakaria, Medical Director of Ridge Hospital, emphasized that many affected children come from poor households and cannot afford treatment. Treatment costs go beyond medicines to include food, counselling, exercises, and radiotherapy. He urged parents and caregivers to seek medical attention early, as close to 80 per cent of childhood cancers can be cured when detected early and treated appropriately.
Ms. Salma Suhuyini Fuseini, Programme Manager of the Foundation, noted that childhood cancer cure rates in some countries exceed 80 per cent, while Ghana's rate remains at 30 per cent or below. The Go Yellow Campaign aims to bring one million Ghanaians together to improve the chances of survival for children receiving cancer treatment. She dispelled misconceptions about childhood cancer, saying the disease can be treated.
Parents of children undergoing treatment shared their experiences, highlighting the financial difficulties they have faced due to frequent hospital visits. Ms. Aisha Bashiru from Koforidua said her child started complaining of stomach pains at age three, which she initially attributed to eating sweets. Another parent, Ms. Cecilia Ampoma, said the cost of treatment had depleted her family's finances.
The organisers of the Go Yellow Campaign appealed to the public to support the initiative. Dr. Ernestina Schandorf, Greater Accra Regional Branch Chair of the Paediatric Society of Ghana, said childhood cancer is curable and called for efforts to give affected children access to timely treatment. The campaign aims to provide a more suitable treatment environment for children with cancer.
Key points
- The Go Yellow Campaign aims to mobilize one million Ghanaians to donate GH¢10 monthly to support children with cancer.
- Childhood cancer cure rates in Ghana remain at 30 per cent or below, compared to over 80 per cent in some countries.
- The campaign seeks to provide a more suitable treatment environment for children with cancer at Ridge Hospital.
