The Paramount Chief of Tepa in the Ashanti Region has urged women to allow their partners to fondle and suck their breasts in order to aid in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Nana Adusei Atwenewaa Ampem I, said, men have a critical role to play in preventing the disease in their partners, and they should enjoy doing so.

He mentioned that, "We men have a role to play in detecting the disease early because we fondle and suck breasts every day. I urge you to notify your partner if you feel anything unusual when fondling her breast, so that the disease can be detected and treated early.

"I'll also beg you ladies to let your husbands fondle your breasts. If you are a man and do not enjoy fondling or sucking breasts, please from today do it."

Speaking at the 10th edition of the Breast Care International (BCI) Walk for the Cure in Tepa, Nana Ampem I, urged the public to stop attributing the disease to spirituality and instead visit health facilities, particularly the Peace and Love Hospital, for meaningful treatment.

While appealing to the government to support the BCI's activities, the Chief pledged to offer a parcel of land to the Peace and Love Hospital to establish a branch in Tepa to aid in the treatment of breast cancer and related diseases in the enclave.

Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana, Imane Quaadil, pledged in a brief speech that the Moroccan Embassy will continue to support and commit to the Breast Care International (BCI) in its activities in the coming years.

According to Dr. Beatrice Addai Wiafe, President of BCI, more than 2,000 Ghanaian women die of breast cancer each year, and there is a need to reverse the trend.

According to her, one of the factors preventing many women from seeking treatment in health care facilities is stereotyping.

Against this backdrop, she stated that public education is critical in educating people about the importance of knowing that breast cancer is curable and survivable in order to overcome fears and stigma.

Dr. Addai Wiafe believes the move will go a long way toward encouraging people to embrace breast cancer screening and eradicating the stigma.

She urged the government to establish social intervention programs aimed at assisting women diagnosed with breast cancer, given the high cost of medication.

According to Vivian Gyasi Sarfo, President of the Breast Cancer Survivors Association of Ghana and her members, treatment of the disease is very expensive, affecting many of them financially.

As a result, they are pleading with the government to subsidize their medication in order to save many more lives.

Thousands of people from various sectors and communities, including the Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana, the Director General of NADMO, the Ahafo Ano North District Chief Executive, health officials, market women, and students, took part in this year's BCI Walk for the Cure at Tepa.