The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of A1 KOSSAF Enterprise and President of the A1 Ginger Farmers Association, Miss Regina Suleman, has heaped praises on the Queen Mother of Toase, Nana Amonu Gyamfuaa Serwaa Bonsu, and the Queen Mother of Nkawie, Oheneyere Adoma Akosua, for their unflinching support and commitment to women’s health through a free breast cancer screening exercise.
The two Queen Mothers, in collaboration with the Breast Care Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), organized the free screening for women within the Atwima Nwabiagya South and Atwima Mponua Constituencies as part of activities to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October.
The exercise, held under the theme: “United for a Breast Cancer-Free Ghana: Early Detection, Early Action, Better Outcome,” saw hundreds of women, particularly farmers and traders, benefit from free breast examination, education on self-examination, and counselling.
Speaking to the media after the screening, Miss Regina Suleman commended the two traditional leaders for their visionary leadership and motherly love, describing the initiative as timely and life-saving for rural women.
She noted that women in farming communities often neglect their own health because their entire attention is focused on their farms, which serves as their main source of income and livelihood for their families.
“Farmers always ignore check-ups because all they concentrate on is their farms as it’s what helps them generate income and take care of their families. They wake up very early to go to the farm and return late, so they hardly have time to go to the hospital for screening,” Miss Suleman explained.
According to her, the decision by the Toasehemaa and Nkawiehemaa to bring the medical team from KATH directly to the doorstep of the women was a major relief and has encouraged many farmers to know their breast health status for the first time.
Miss Suleman said as a female agribusiness leader who works closely with hundreds of women ginger farmers, she understands the health challenges rural women face and therefore appreciates any intervention that prioritizes their well-being.
“This screening has saved many women today. Early detection is key, and our Queen Mothers have shown true leadership by thinking about the health of their women. We are very grateful,” she added.
The A1 KOSSAF CEO also used the opportunity to express profound gratitude to the Chief of Toase, Nana Yim Awere Ababio, for his massive contribution to the development of Toase, particularly in the areas of education, health, and social amenities.
She said Toasehene’s continuous support for development initiatives and his open-door leadership has created an enabling environment for businesses, farmers, and social interventions to thrive in the traditional area.
“We always thank Toasehene Nana Yim Awere Ababio for his massive development of Toase, especially through education, health and social amenities. His support has made Toase a model community,” Miss Suleman stated.
She called on other traditional leaders, corporate institutions, and benevolent individuals to emulate the shining example of the two Queen Mothers and Toasehene by investing in women’s health and community development.
The free breast screening exercise forms part of a series of activities lined up by the traditional authorities in collaboration with health professionals to raise awareness, promote early detection, and reduce breast cancer-related deaths among women in the Atwima enclave.
