BCI breaks ground for $100m centre
Breast Care International (BCI) has officially broken ground for the construction of a state-of-the-art Comprehensive Cancer Center of Excellence (CCCOE) valued at $100 million.
The facility will be built on a 52-acre site in Kwaso, located in the Ejisu Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The center, named after Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will be Ghana’s first comprehensive cancer facility dedicated to cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment.
According to the Global Cancer Observatory, Ghana recorded approximately 27,385 new cancer cases, with about 17,944 deaths in 2022. Breast, liver, cervical, and prostate cancers ranked as the top four types of cancer diagnosed that year.
At the sod-cutting ceremony, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, founder of BCI, highlighted the need for a dedicated cancer center in Ghana, noting that the lack of such a facility has hindered effective cancer treatment in the country. She explained that many cancer patients who can afford treatment often seek care abroad, emphasizing the importance of having a center locally.
Dr. Addai also noted that the establishment of the CCCOE stemmed from a cancer research analysis published in 2022, titled “The Lancet of Oncology on Sub-Saharan Africa.” The center will provide accessible treatment for all types of cancer within the country.
Dr. Addai further disclosed that Ghana would be the first beneficiary of a new cancer treatment innovation developed by Prof. Wil Ngwa, Director of the Global Health Catalyst.
Prof. Ngwa, speaking at the event, revealed that the United States President has allocated $200 million to Africa as part of efforts to combat cancer. While acknowledging the significance of the amount, he stressed that it is not sufficient to provide a lasting solution. He announced the USA’s intention to collaborate with African nations, including Ghana, through its Cancer Moonshot Initiative. This White House-led initiative aims to accelerate cancer research, foster new collaborations, and enhance progress in cancer treatment.
Prof. Ngwa praised Ghana for taking a major step in the fight against cancer with the establishment of the CCCOE, positioning the country as a strong partner in the global fight against the disease. He emphasized that cancer, which has claimed more lives than COVID-19, requires greater global mobilization.
In addition to the health benefits, Prof. Ngwa noted that the construction of the CCCOE would contribute to Ghana’s economic development. He called on Ghanaians to support the project through financial contributions and to prioritize raising awareness about cancer’s dangers. Representing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Prof. Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II announced that the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Charity Foundation would contribute $100,000 towards the project. The donation will be spread over five years, with $20,000 allocated annually as the construction progresses.
