Ghana has officially launched the 2025 World Childhood Cancer Day with a strong call to action for early detection, equitable access to treatment, and
Ghana has officially launched the 2025 World Childhood Cancer Day with a strong call to action for early detection, equitable access to treatment, and nationwide awareness to improve survival rates among children battling cancer.
The ceremony, held over the weekend at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, brought together health professionals, policymakers, traditional leaders, parents, and international partners to highlight both progress and persistent challenges in the fight against pediatric cancers.
World Childhood Cancer Day, observed globally every year, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancers and supporting children and families affected by the disease.
In Ghana, the commemoration has gained momentum in recent years as stakeholders push for urgent reforms in healthcare delivery, given that childhood cancers are often diagnosed late, with many families facing financial and emotional burdens.
Representing the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of the Public Health Division, outlined Ghana’s ongoing efforts to tackle childhood cancers.
He disclosed that a national Childhood Cancer Strategic Plan has been developed to guide interventions, while significant investments are being made in training healthcare providers, expanding child life services, and strengthening palliative care programs. Importantly, he announced that essential medicines for childhood cancers are being provided free of charge, thanks to partnerships between government and development agencies.
Dr. Asiedu-Bekoe, however, cautioned that early diagnosis remains a major obstacle, especially in underserved communities where frontline health workers often lack adequate training to recognize cancer symptoms.
He stressed the importance of equipping these workers with the right knowledge and tools, saying that “early detection is the difference between life and death for many children.”
The event also featured powerful testimonies that captured the human face of the crisis.
A mother of a childhood cancer survivor recounted the struggles her family endured — from initial misdiagnosis and costly delays in treatment to the psychological and financial toll of the disease.
She revealed how the desperation sometimes pushed families to seek spiritual remedies, a reflection of both the stigma and the lack of accessible support systems.
Her account reinforced calls for financial assistance, psychosocial support, and a nationwide campaign to break misconceptions about cancer.
Development partners, including international health organizations, lauded the progress but called for sustained advocacy, funding, and public education to ensure long-term impact.
The Traditional leaders present at the launch also pledged their support in mobilizing communities and spreading awareness about the importance of early diagnosis.
Closing the ceremony, Dr. Leslie Issa Adam-Zakariah, Medical Superintendent of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, urged all Ghanaians to see the fight against childhood cancer as a shared responsibility.
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