Ghana is set to establish its first national prostate cancer registry at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), a move health experts describe as a critical step toward addressing one of the country’s most pressing men’s health challenges.

Globally, one in eight men will face a prostate cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. In Ghana, doctors estimate that more than 3,000 new cases are detected annually, with over half diagnosed only after the disease has reached an advanced stage.

The initiative was announced at the launch of the 2025 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Accra. The registry will be developed through a partnership between UGMC, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and the Ghana Association of Urological Surgeons (GAUS).

UGMC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abdul-Samed Tanko, said the registry will enable clinicians and policymakers to track cases nationwide, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance prevention strategies.

“Proactive checks save lives, and the earlier we act, the better the outcomes,” he said.

Head of UGMC’s Urology Department, Dr. Mary Monney-Bortey, highlighted stigma and fear as major barriers to early detection.

“Too many men come to us late, when the disease has already advanced. We want to encourage every man above 40 years to get screened at least once a year. Early detection gives the best chance of survival,” she advised.

Once operational, the registry will provide Ghana with its first comprehensive nationwide data on prostate cancer trends, helping to shape national cancer policies and potentially save thousands of lives in the years ahead.