The Volta River Authority (VRA) has commissioned two ultra-modern 3D mammogram machines for its health facilities in Akosombo and Accra.
The gesture, initiated by the VRA Ladies‘ Association, forms part of the Authority’s resolve in the fight against breast cancer as Ghana and the world observes the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness’ month.
A mammogram is a machine that uses low-energy X-rays to examine the human breast for diagnosis and screening.
Commissioning the installed machine at the VRA Hospital, Akosombo, on Wednesday, Chief Executive of the Authority, Dr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwah, was hopeful the machines would help reduce the prevalence of the disease in the VRA’s catchment areas and Ghana at large.
With superstition associated with breast cancer, MrAntwi-Darkwa said it was their expectation that women would shun this superstitions and voluntarily walk to the centre to test for the disease.
“It is my hope that our ladies will clear their minds of any anxiety or fear which keeps them away from annual breast screening exercises. It is sad that some people are so heavily driven by superstition that, they attribute medical conditions like breast cancer to spiritual attacks and therefore do not seek medical help.
“Let this not be the lot of our women. We need all hands on deck to educate our daughters, wives, mothers, sisters and female friends to take advantage of this facility to know their status,” he said and urged the clergy to dedicate sometime to educate their congregations that breast cancer is disease and not a spiritual attack.
Mr Antwi-Darkwah commended the Ladies’ Association of the Authority for initiating moves to purchase the mammogram until the VRA intervened following an advocacy by two female members on the Board; Rev Dr Joyce Aryee and Madam Janet AkosuaGyasiwaa.
“Over the years, the VRA Ladies’ Association has immensely amplified the Authority’s corporate image with social interventions such as girl-child empowerment, breast cancer awareness creation, energy conservation education and other commendable initiatives.
“Without a doubt, they have been instrumental in building and sustaining all aspects of our business. We appreciate you, our ladies,” he said and urged other groups to emulate.
Chairman of the occasion and Omanhene of the Akwamu Traditional Area, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, in a remark made on his behalf by the Chief of Akosombo, admonished that the facility is well taken care of so that it served the purpose for which it was purchased.
Rev Dr Joyce Aryee, underscored the importance of women in society and that everything must be done to keep them healthy, a reason, the women on the Board, pushed for the purchase of the mammogram.
“We are the ones you run to. We take our roles as women very seriously and for that matter we must be healthy to deliver. Without good health, we are of no use to you and the society.”
President of the Ladies’ Association, Stella Dey, on her part said the machine would not only afford women a one-stop shop to treat breast cancer but reduce the cost of the treatment as well.
FROM JULIUS YAO PETETSI, AKOSOMBO
