The focus of the first-time meeting will be to share progress of the ongoing activities of the C/Can city initiative in Kumasi to improve equitable access to quality cancer care. This will include details of the recently announced initiative to strengthen cancer diagnostics in Kumasi (bit.ly/3riDYNh), as well as a presentation of the new guidelines for the management of breast and cervical cancers, which has been developed by stakeholders in Accra and Kumasi, with the support of C/Can and their partner, the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the Hon. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu said:

“City Cancer Challenge has come as a mechanism to strengthen the health system in cancer care in Kumasi involving the public and private sector. As the country begins to implement the Non Communicable Diseases policy, the Ministry looks forward to deepening the collaboration between Ghana and City Cancer Challenge and discuss scaling up comprehensive cancer care to all parts of the country.”

Also speaking about the visit, Dr Susan Henshall said:

“The government of Ghana is continuing to make strong strides in tackling cancer, one of the country’s most pressing health challenges. We look forward to exchanging views with the Hon. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu on how the current and future C/Can city activities in Kumasi will help strengthen the health system and cancer care in the city, and also for the nation at large.”

Dr Henshall and Ms Bussmann-Kemdjo will also meet with a number of officials who are taking a lead in cancer care, including with board members of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Regional Health Director for the Ashanti Region, Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang.