Africa faces a growing health emergency, with over one million new cancer cases reported yearly, says the Executive Director of Cancer Care Africa Foundation (CanCAF), Naomi Naa Oyoe Ohene Nti.
Speaking at CanCAF’s launch at the West Africa Genetic Medicine Centre in Accra on March 31, 2026, she emphasised the need for equal access to quality cancer care, stating, “No African, no Ghanaian should be denied quality cancer care because of where they live.”
Ohene Nti explained that CanCAF will achieve this through targeted capacity building, awareness creation, advocacy, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships, focusing on prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship.
Africa records over one million new cases and more than 700,000 deaths annually, with less than 3% of global oncology resources despite carrying about 7% of the world’s cancer burden.
Ghana registers over 24,000 new cases annually, with more than 15,000 deaths, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated national interventions.
CanCAF launched its flagship initiative, the Cancer Genetic Counselling Certificate Programme for oncology nurses, to strengthen specialized capacity in risk assessment, patient education, and personalized care delivery.
“The context we face demands urgent action,” Ohene Nti said, calling on government agencies, stakeholders, and development partners to support efforts to improve cancer care across the continent.
