UGMC to host Ghana’s first national prostate cancer registry
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The nation is set to establish its first-ever national prostate cancer registry at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).
Globally, statistics show that one in every eight men will face a prostate cancer diagnosis during their lifetime.
In Ghana, medical professionals estimate that more than 3,000 new cases are recorded each year, with over half diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment becomes more complex and survival chances are significantly reduced.
This has raised growing alarm among health practitioners, who argue that the absence of accurate national data has made it difficult to track the true burden of the disease.
The initiative was officially announced in Accra during the launch of the 2025 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
The registry will be developed through a collaborative partnership between UGMC, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and the Ghana Association of Urological Surgeons (GAUS).
Chief Executive Officer of UGMC, Dr Abdul-Samed Tanko, explained that the registry will serve as a critical tool for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers.
By centralising data from across the country, he said, health professionals will be able to improve treatment outcomes, enhance prevention programmes, and ultimately save more lives.
“Proactive checks save lives, and the earlier we act, the better the outcomes,” Dr Tanko emphasised.
Head of UGMC’s Urology Department, Dr Mary Monney-Bortey, noted that stigma and fear remain major barriers to early detection.
She stressed that many men delay seeking medical attention until symptoms become severe.
“Too many men come to us late, when the disease has already advanced. We want to encourage every man above 40 years to get screened at least once a year. Early detection gives the best chance of survival,” Dr Monney-Bortey advised.
