Telecel Group’s Initiative to Combat Cervical Cancer in Ghana
Telecel Group has taken a significant step in addressing the growing issue of cervical cancer in Ghana by donating advanced diagnostic equipment and pledging free screening services for women at three major hospitals. These hospitals include Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Tamale Teaching Hospital, and Sefwi Wiawso Government Hospital. The initiative aims to improve early detection and reduce the number of late-stage diagnoses, which are often fatal.
The donated equipment includes state-of-the-art digital colposcopes, HPV testing kits, and biopsy instruments. These tools are essential for conducting accurate and timely screenings, which can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment. The project is expected to screen at least 5,000 women within its first year and extend its services to underserved areas through mobile clinics and telemedicine via the Telecel Ghana Foundation.
At the handover ceremony, Mr. Moh Damush, CEO of Telecel Group, emphasized the importance of this initiative. He stated, “We are proud to see this project come to life to strengthen Ghana’s ability to detect and prevent cervical cancer, which is one of the most devastating diseases affecting women. We will continue to invest in the lives and potential of people, particularly women, who are the social and economic pillars of every African community.”
This initiative is executed in partnership with the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and the Ministry of Health. It marks the first major health project under the newly established Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares) and represents a significant advancement in Ghana’s efforts to combat late-stage cervical cancer detection and improve access to life-saving diagnostics.
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh, praised the partnership and highlighted the potential impact on women’s health. He said, “The installed cervical cancer equipment here at Korle-Bu, Sefwi Wiawso and Tamale hospitals will give women a fighting chance at early detection. It means fewer late diagnosis and fewer painful losses. We expect at least 2,000 undiagnosed cases of cervical cancer to be detected each year and more than 10,000 women to benefit directly from screening and early intervention in two years.”
To ensure the sustainability of the project, Telecel also organized training sessions for healthcare professionals at the beneficiary hospitals. These sessions focused on the usage and maintenance of the new equipment, ensuring that the facilities can continue to provide effective services in the long term.
In her welcome address, Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Telecel Ghana, encouraged all women to get checked periodically. She emphasized the importance of this investment in health infrastructure, stating, “I would like to urge every woman in Ghana between the ages of 21 to 65 years to go for cervical cancer screening at least every 3 years to detect if there are any risks. Early detection, we are told, can save our lives.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Ghanaian women, yet fewer than 10 per cent of women undergo screening. Each year, more than 3,000 women are diagnosed, and nearly 2,000 lose their lives, with the majority due to late detection. Sustained investment in screening, vaccination, and awareness around cervical cancer remains critical if Ghana is to meet the WHO’s global target of screening 70 per cent of women by ages 35 and 45.
Obuobia Darko-Opoku, Administrator of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, expressed gratitude for the partnership and commended Telecel for fulfilling their promise. She stated, “Telecel pledged to support the fight against cervical cancer by providing screening equipment across selected hospitals. True to their word, they have delivered. From Korle Bu to Tamale and Sefwi Wiawso, the installations have begun turning promises into purpose, and compassion into care. Today, we celebrate not just a partnership, but a demonstration of integrity and shared responsibility.”
With this health intervention, thousands of women across Ghana will gain access to early detection, preventing avoidable deaths and preserving families, communities, and the nation’s future.
