The Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting individuals battling non-communicable diseases, particularly breast cancer.

Speaking at the Women of Valour event in Accra, Obuobia Darko-Opoku said the government, through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, is working to provide financial relief and ensure equitable access to treatment for all affected patients.

“Through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, we are committed to providing access to diagnostic tools that save lives through early detection and offering financial support for women and men dealing with these non-communicable diseases, of which breast cancer is one,” she said.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women in Ghana. Each year, more than 5,000 women are diagnosed with the disease — and about half of them do not survive.

For survivors, the journey is one of pain, fear, and resilience. One survivor recalled how she discovered her diagnosis unexpectedly.
“I went for the results, and on my way home in the trotro, I opened the report and saw that it was cancer. That night, I wept,” she said.

Another survivor described the emotional toll of the disease, “When it started, I was hopeless. I didn’t know what to do. I just said, ‘God, give me the strength.’”

A third survivor shared how the illness affected her work and relationships. “It really changed me because people stopped bringing their clothes for sewing after they heard I had cancer. They said I wasn’t serious because I was often at the hospital,” she recounted.

Beyond the emotional struggle, many patients face crippling financial challenges.
“I go for chemotherapy every three weeks, and each session costs about ₵1,500. The radiation alone was almost ₵6,000 for 21 days. If you don’t have money, how can you survive?” one survivor lamented.

Madam Darko-Opoku acknowledged these challenges and assured that the government remains focused on strengthening early detection and treatment support to save more lives.

She urged women to prioritize regular breast screening, stressing that early detection remains the most effective way to fight the disease.