Central University honours Al- Hayaat Foundation Founder

Accra, Nov. 29, GNA - The Students Representative Council of the Central University College, Women's Commission has honoured Hajia Hanatu Abubakar, Founder and President of the Al- Hayaat Foundation for spearheading the campaign to eradicate cervical cancer in the country.

According to the Commission, the Foundation over the years had embarked on a number of activities to promote healthy lifestyles, education and women empowerment, which were all geared towards nation development.

Ms Beatrice Yeboah Gyimah, the Women's Commissioner of the University, who made the presentation during a seminar on cervical cancer in Accra, noted that the award served as recognition of efforts made by the Foundation to create more awareness on the need to undergo periodic cervical cancer screening.

She said considering the large number of diagnosed cases, there was a need for women especially young girls to acquire the knowledge about the disease; this she said, would help to save more lives.

'Health goes with work, if you are not health productivity will be low; therefore we believe she is doing a good work, and so, all must support' she added.

The citation was jointly signed by Reverend Godson Ahiabor, Dean of Students and the Women's Commissioner.

It reads: 'In recognition of the foundation's efforts in rendering service to mankind. This has made the foundation extraordinary in creating awareness on issues relating to Cervical Cancer. The Women's Commission of the SRC (2014/2015) appreciates your commitment to helping to save lives. Thank you for your enormous contributions to mother Ghana'.

Hajia Abubakar thanked the Women's Commission for the honour done her and urged all to practice healthy life styles.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, the Founder expressed her gratitude and revealed that this was the first time her efforts had been recognized by an institution throughout the Foundation's five year history.

She said the Foundation targets second cycle and tertiary institutions, and governmental hospitals, although they were also involved in women empowerment initiatives.

The Founder mentioned that among her major challenges had been resources to carry out such activities, however, her passion to impact lives always inspires her to move on.

She said most people were involved in the advocacy of breast cancer, but few were into cervical cancer, as such, her Foundation decided to tread that path by creating more awareness on the disease; considering how alarming its statistics were.

Hajia Abubakar said globally, almost 500,000 women were diagnosed of cervical cancer, yearly, and out of the number 275,000 die, whereas, eighty -five per cent of these cases occurred in developing countries including Ghana.

Hajia Abubakar therefore, called on benevolent individuals, organisations and the government to support the activities of the Al- Hayaat Foundation in carrying out such laudable initiatives.

GNA