Accra: The Cancer Care Africa Foundation (CanCAF) has been officially launched, with a mission to strengthen cancer care systems and improve patient outcomes across Africa. At the launch, the Foundation introduced its flagship initiative, the Cancer Genetic Counselling Certificate Programme for Oncology Nurses in Africa (CGCP-ON AFRICA), aimed at equipping nurses with specialized skills to support early detection, prevention, and precision treatment of cancer.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative was delivered in partnership with the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) under the theme, 'Transforming Cancer Care: Empowering Oncology Nurses through Genetic Counselling and Precision Oncology,' in Accra. Mrs. Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, the Executive Director of CanCAF, stated that the initiative was established to address urgent gaps in cancer care delivery on the continent.
The Foundation's vision is to ensure that no African, particularly Ghanaians, are denied quality cancer care due to their location. Mrs. Ohene Oti, who is also the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award winner, noted that cancer remains a growing public health challenge in Africa, with over one million new cases and more than 700,000 deaths recorded annually. In Ghana alone, over 24,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, resulting in more than 15,000 deaths, with nearly 80 percent of patients presenting at advanced stages.
Identifying late detection, limited awareness, and critical workforce shortages as key systemic challenges affecting cancer care, she explained that the flagship programme aims to train oncology nurses across Africa over the next two years, bringing life-saving knowledge closer to communities. Mrs. Ohene Oti emphasized that about five to ten percent of cancers are inherited, and through genetic counseling, high-risk individuals can be identified early, shifting from late-stage intervention to prevention.
CanCAF's broader strategy is built on three key pillars: developing an African Cancer Nursing Competency Framework, investing in capacity building through training and mentorship, and empowering nurses to play leadership roles in cancer policy and advocacy. The Executive Director underscored the need for collective action and sustained collaboration among stakeholders to build resilient health systems and improve outcomes across the continent.
Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, the Director of Technical Coordination, reaffirmed the government's commitment to strengthening cancer care. He highlighted that cancer had become one of the leading causes of death in Ghana, affecting thousands of families annually and placing increasing pressure on the health system.
The Minister pointed out that more than 70 percent of cancer cases in the region are diagnosed at advanced stages, making treatment more complex and reducing survival rates. He noted that these numbers represent real people and families, and the government feels a deep responsibility to ensure access to care, support, and hope.
He elaborated on the government's initiatives, including the National Cancer Control Plan, focusing on expanding screening programs, improving diagnostic services, enhancing treatment infrastructure, and increasing public awareness. However, Mr. Akandoh stressed that infrastructure alone would not solve the challenge, highlighting the need for innovation, data-driven approaches, and a highly skilled workforce.
He concluded by describing the launch of CanCAF and CGCP-ON AFRICA as a significant step towards building a modern and responsive cancer care system, urging the adoption of approaches such as genetic risk screening, personalized treatment, and the development of genomic databases to guide research and care.