Ghana’s premier dermatology facility has launched a groundbreaking breast cancer screening campaign specifically targeting female journalists, positioning media professionals as both storytellers and participants in the country’s fight against a disease that kills nearly 2,000 Ghanaian women annually.
Dr. Banguu Delle, Chief Executive Officer of Rabito Clinic, announced the initiative during a press engagement on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, emphasizing that female journalists must not allow breast cancer to “silence them from telling the stories” while urging prioritization of personal health screening and lifestyle changes.
The campaign, themed “Female journalist, your story matters: Don’t let breast cancer silence you,” represents a collaboration between Rabito Clinic and Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) to upscale breast cancer education among Ghana’s female media practitioners.
Professor Delle urged female journalists to participate actively rather than merely covering breast cancer awareness events, positioning media professionals as both storytellers and participants in health advocacy, recognizing their dual role in society as information gatekeepers and community influencers.
The initiative addresses critical gaps in Ghana’s breast cancer screening landscape. Recent research indicates only 18.4% of Ghanaian women have ever undergone breast cancer screening, while approximately 80% of diagnoses occur at advanced stages, resulting in a three-year survival rate of just 52%.
Francis Ameyibor, Executive Director of CDA Consult and Holistic Health Advocate, emphasized the strategic importance of targeting journalists. “You must first be a healthy person to report healthy news, and through maintaining a healthy lifestyle, female journalists can reduce their risk of developing this disease and continue to tell the stories that matter to save the world,” he stated.
The partnership plans to organize free breast cancer screening and education at five strategic locations across Ghana to minimize work interruption for participating journalists. Ameyibor specifically called on female journalists to “don’t only participate in covering breast cancer events, take part in it”, highlighting the distinction between professional coverage and personal health engagement.
Ghana faces significant breast cancer challenges within the broader African context. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects breast cancer cases will increase by 38% globally by 2050, with annual deaths rising by 68%, making early detection initiatives increasingly urgent.
The campaign coincides with broader recognition of breast cancer as Ghana’s second most common cancer among women. Dr. Delle noted that increasing awareness and promoting self-examination among women will “transform society and empower women to take control of their lives.”
Current data suggests healthcare facilities in Ghana miss opportunities to screen approximately seven out of ten women, representing a massive unmet need that targeted interventions like the journalists’ campaign could help address.
The WHO recommends mammography screening for women aged 50-69 years, though women with family histories of breast cancer or other risk factors may require earlier screening. Ameyibor stressed that journalists with family histories should “start screening earlier and more frequently.”
Rabito Clinic operates as Ghana’s leading dermatology facility with 19 branches across the country, including its most recent Ashongman location opened in July 2025. The clinic’s breast cancer initiative represents part of its broader community health engagement strategy.
The campaign extends beyond screening to encompass comprehensive health education. Both organizations plan to roll out social and traditional media advocacy throughout October 2025 to educate the wider public on basic health information, leveraging the reach and influence of participating journalists.
Industry experts suggest targeting journalists represents a strategic approach to health communication, as media professionals serve as information multipliers within their communities. The initiative recognizes that empowering journalists with personal health knowledge enhances their capacity to educate broader audiences.
The timing proves particularly relevant as Ghana grapples with increasing non-communicable disease burdens while healthcare infrastructure struggles to meet growing demand for specialized services like mammography and breast ultrasound screening.
Dr. Delle emphasized that early detection plays a pivotal role in optimizing breast cancer prognosis, making screening accessibility a critical public health priority. The clinic’s approach of bringing services directly to journalists’ work locations represents innovative healthcare delivery adapted to professional constraints.
The partnership between Rabito Clinic and CDA Consult demonstrates how private healthcare providers and advocacy organizations can collaborate to address specific population health needs while building broader community awareness through strategic stakeholder engagement.
