The construction of a $100 million comprehensive cancer centre to help stem the tide against the disease in Ghana and Africa at large has taken off at Kwaso in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
Sited on a 52-acre of land, the Centre is named Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Excellence (CCCoE), in honour of the Asantehene.
The five-year project is being funded by Breast Care International (BCI), Peace and Love Hospitals, Global Health Catalyst, and the University of Pennsylvania, in the United States of America (USA).
A representative of the Asantehene, Nana (Prof.) Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Otumfuo Hiahene, cut the sod for the construction work to begin on Friday.
The President of BCI, Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addai, said the successful implementation of the centre would not only benefit the people of Ghana and West Africa, but also contribute to the broader advancement of cancer care on the African continent.
“The Centre will also be the hub for medical tourism and stop the movement of cancer patients from Africa to other continents for treatments,” she added.
Dr Wiafe- Addai, also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peace and Love Hospitals, indicated that the state-of-the-art technologies in the facility would ensure that the public received the best possible care tailored to their needs.
“The CCCoE is dedicated to providing cutting-edge facilities for comprehensive cancer care, including prevention, awareness, diagnosis, screening, treatment, and rehabilitation”, she indicated.
The founder and director of Global Health Catalyst, Prof. Will Ngwa, who has invested $1 million as seed money in the project, called on Ghanaians to support the facility in the cancer fight.
“As I come here from the USA, and those who are present here, I want everyone to partner with local people to make this cancer centre a reality.
“We have to mobilise and make sure that this cancer monster becomes a history by launching this cancer centre in Kwaso…this is not only going to help patients but is actually going to lead to economic development of Kwaso,” he underlined.
Prof. Ngwa, who is also a professor at the John’s Hopkins University, noted that the project’s first phase comprised of Clinical Services (Radiotherapy suite), a Research Wing, an AI Hub, Education Centre, and Community Outreach.
On his part, Otumfuo’s representative, commended Dr Wiafe-Addai and her team, and specifically, Prof Ngwa, for his $1 million contribution to the project, and for bringing the project to Ghana, specifically the Ashanti Region.
As the Chairperson of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, which has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate with BCI to build the centre, he pledged $100,000 for the period of five years, with GH¢20,000 a year until the completion of the facility.
He stated that constructing a cancer centre in Ghana would significantly improve cancer care, address existing challenges and demonstrate the country’s commitment to healthcare.
It would be made up of components such as Oncology Department, Psychiatry, Psychology, Pediatrics, Training Centre and Research, Research and Innovation Unit, Hotel, Urology, AI Hub, Hospital Pharmacy ,Commercial Zone, among others when completed.
There would be CT scan simulators and control rooms, admission wards and rooms, laboratories, chemotherapy preparatory rooms, minor procedure rooms, kitchens, and examination rooms.
With the rest being X-RAY machines, elevators for patients and staff, medical stores, a pharmacy, an open terrace, simulation rooms/ centres, surgical theatres, and a recovery ward.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, KUMASI
