As part of activities marking this year’s breast cancer awareness month, Atlantic Lithium Limited — the company developing Ghana’s first lithium mine — has organised a breast cancer sensitisation and free medical screening programme across its host communities in the Central Region.

Held in collaboration with the Mfantseman Municipal Health Directorate, Assembly Members, and the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG-Cape Coast), the five-day exercise ran under the theme “Screen Today, Live Tomorrow.”

It began on Thursday, 23 October 2025, at the Anokyi Community Centre and continued through Krofu, Ewoyaa, and Mankessim before concluding on Wednesday, 29 October 2025, at Saltpond.

The initiative aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer, particularly among women in rural and less developed areas, encouraging early detection and regular screening to save lives.

It also sought to empower women with the knowledge and confidence to take charge of their health as part of Atlantic Lithium’s broader corporate social responsibility and sustainability agenda, which prioritises community health and wellbeing.

In total, 468 women aged between 13 and 94 years participated in the sensitisation and screening exercise. While primarily designed for women, 46 men also took part, benefiting from the free medical checks and learning more about breast cancer prevention.

The sessions began with educational talks on the causes, symptoms, and prevention of breast cancer, followed by medical screenings conducted by a team from the Saltpond Municipal Hospital and PPAG-Cape Coast.

Participants were also trained on how to perform regular self-examinations to detect early signs of abnormalities.

Speaking at the event, Dr Millicent Aning-Agyei, Atlantic Lithium’s Community Relations and Social Performance Manager, highlighted the importance of the initiative, noting that it aligns with the company’s goal to promote health and well-being in its operational areas.

"We aim to break or minimise the myths surrounding breast cancer and educate women about its causes and preventive measures. I was impressed by the youth’s enthusiasm and participation. Women will learn to perform self-examinations and detect any abnormalities early. We are pleased to provide this opportunity, which saw participation from women of all ages, as well as several men,” she said.

Dr Aning-Agyei further underscored the company’s commitment to giving back to its host communities, adding that such initiatives are crucial for building healthy, informed, and resilient communities.

The Municipal Disease Control Officer for Mfantseman, Mr Solomon Oware Mensah, commended Atlantic Lithium for supporting the initiative and urged women to prioritise regular health checks.

He emphasised that early detection is key to preventing breast cancer complications and improving survival rates.

Community members expressed their appreciation for the free medical services and the opportunity to learn more about breast health, calling for more frequent outreach programmes to sustain awareness and prevention efforts.