DZODZE and AFIFE, Volta Region
Under the banner of Mother’s HopeNCare: Veil of Hope Cancer Care, the Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church (SMMC) Cancer Awareness Creation Team successfully concluded a two-day intensive sensitization tour within the Keta-Akatsi Diocese from April 27 to April 28, 2026.
The outreach focused on female educators in Dzodze, Afife, and surrounding communities, providing them with vital health information to enable them to share life-saving cancer awareness within their respective communities.
The initiative was supported by medical professionals from St. Anthony’s Hospital in Dzodze, including oncologist Dr. Clement Banyah Dodzi and midwife Ms. Benedicta Akorfa.
The medical staff joined the SMMC team to provide professional health insights and clinical services.
The outreach specifically targeted female teachers, recognizing their influential roles as community leaders who can further disseminate life-saving information.
The team delivered comprehensive presentations on:
Cervical Cancer: Highlighting prevention strategies and the rising prevalence of the disease among Ghanaian women.
Breast Cancer: Educating participants on the necessity of early detection and the technique for regular self-examinations, participants were urged to reject myths and superstitions surrounding cancer and instead adopt a habit of regular clinical check-ups.
Following the educational sessions, the medical team conducted free breast screenings, providing the educators with immediate access to professional examinations.
The urgency of the tour is underscored by the lives lost to cancer in SMMC and the data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/GLOBOCAN).
According to these bodies, cancer is a significant and rising cause of mortality in Ghana, contributing to a substantial portion of the country’s non-communicable disease (NCD) deaths.
Recent IARC/GLOBOCAN reports indicate that Ghana records between 15,000 and 18,000 cancer-related deaths annually.
The SMMC Sisters sustain this vital ministry through specialized teams stationed across their operational regions, including:
Ho Diocese, Keta-Akatsi Diocese and
Donkorkrom Vicariate (now Diocese)
By maintaining these dedicated units, the “Veil of Hope” initiative ensures that women across the Volta Region and beyond are equipped with the knowledge and clinical support needed to combat cancer through early detection.
By Sr. Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC (Sr. Communicator, CASCON-GH)
