Bawku west: The Haven of Love Children's Foundation, a Christian non-governmental organization, has successfully screened over 650 women in rural communities within the Bawku West and Nabdam Districts for breast and cervical cancers.
According to Ghana News Agency, the four-day screening exercise was conducted in partnership with the Global Impact for Rural Innovation Foundation (GIRIF). It benefitted women from Kongo in the Nabdam District, as well as the Apoodabogo, Teshie, and Sapeliga communities in the Bawku West District. The initiative is part of the Foundation's ongoing efforts to promote early detection, prevention, and health education among women in underserved and hard-to-reach areas.
In addition to the screening, the organization engaged with students from Kongo Senior High School, Kusanaba Vocational, and Apoodabogo Junior High Schools. These sessions focused on educating students about drug abuse, HIV, bad peer pressure, and self-esteem, equipping them with knowledge to make informed life choices.
Mr. Samuel Nana-Bekai Djirackor, the Founder and CEO of the Haven of Love Children's Foundation, emphasized the importance of combining the screening exercise with educational programs to ensure both immediate and long-term benefits. He credited the success of the program to the partnership with GIRIF, which provided free, professional healthcare services to women in these communities.
The CEO expressed gratitude to the leadership of GIRIF, as well as the Bawku West and Nabdam District Assemblies, Health Directorates, traditional leaders, health professionals, volunteers, and community members for their support throughout the exercise. Mr. Djirackor, who was also recognized as the 2024 JoyNews Impact Makers Award winner, reaffirmed the Foundation's commitment to expanding healthcare, education, and preventive services throughout Ghana's rural regions.
Mr. Robert Alambilla, the Health Promotion Officer of the Ghana Health Service in the Nabdam District, thanked the Haven of Love Children's Foundation and GIRIF for their efforts and expressed the Service's readiness to collaborate with other organizations to improve healthcare delivery in the area. Beneficiaries of the screening exercise highlighted its life-changing impact and called for more similar initiatives in their communities.