The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), a health experts body, spearheading the fight against cancer, has selected Kumasi to be part of the ‘City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) 2025’ project.

This makes it the first city in Africa and fourth in the world to become part of the project, which aims at increasing access to quality cancer treatment.

A document released by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), a copy was made available to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the selection was based purely on merit.

City Cancer Challenge is a multi-sectoral initiative supporting cities to take centre stage in the design, planning and implementation of cancer treatment solutions.

The assembly said it had officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UICC, and would be receiving technical and financial support towards the prevention and control of cancers.

As part of the agreement, it would provide residential and office accommodation to coordinate activities with the Union for the success of the project.

The assembly added that the project was the outcome of its recent participation in the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit held in Mexico under the theme “Cities driving change”.

The project is bringing together governments, NGOs, United Nations (UN) Agencies, domestic and international businesses to turn political commitments made at the global level into fully functional, comprehensive cancer solutions that would benefit more people across the world.