Health Minister calls for collective action against rising cancer burden

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called for stronger collaboration among public and private health professionals to address the rising burden of cancer in Ghana.

He made the call at the 45th Annual General Meeting of the Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners in Ho.

He described cancer as a growing public health and economic challenge facing the country, stating that the fight against cancer was a shared responsibility that required coordinated efforts in prevention, early detection, treatment and public education.

According to him, Ghana recorded more than 27,000 new cancer cases and over 17,000 deaths in 2024. He identified breast, cervical, prostate and liver cancers among the common forms of the disease.

He said the government had introduced interventions such as the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), and the Free Primary Healthcare Policy to improve access to cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.

The Minister called for greater involvement of private healthcare providers in cancer screening, specialist care, health worker training and infrastructure development and invited private health practitioners to support the operationalisation of health facilities under Agenda 111.

Mr Akandoh commended the Society of Private Medical and Dental Practitioners for its contribution to healthcare delivery and urged stakeholders to work together to improve cancer prevention, treatment and survival outcomes across the country.

The 45th Annual General Meeting was held on the theme, “The New Dynamics of Cancer and its Management in the Attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.”