The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North, Hon. Ewurabena Aubynn, has called on Government and Parliament to treat cancer not only as a public health concern but as a major developmental challenge that threatens Ghana’s economic growth, productivity and social stability.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament to mark World Cancer Day 2026, Hon. Aubynn warned that the country’s rising cancer burden is having far-reaching consequences beyond the health sector, including increased poverty, loss of livelihoods and mounting pressure on public resources.
She noted that cancer has become increasingly common in Ghana, affecting people across all age groups, income levels and regions, and can no longer be considered rare or distant.
Citing data from health authorities and cancer registries, the MP said Ghana records over 24,000 new cancer cases annually, with breast, cervical, prostate, liver and colorectal cancers being the most prevalent.
According to her, many of these cases are diagnosed at advanced stages due to limited access to screening services, high treatment costs and low public awareness, making care more difficult and less effective.
“In constituencies such as Ablekuma North, more families are struggling with the emotional and financial burden of cancer, with some selling assets or abandoning treatment altogether because of cost,” she observed.
“Cancer does not only threaten lives; it also pushes families into poverty and deepens inequality,” Hon. Aubynn stated.
She stressed that the economic impact of cancer includes reduced productivity, rising healthcare expenditure and the loss of skilled human resources, all of which undermine national development.
The Ablekuma North MP acknowledged efforts by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to expand screening programmes and establish oncology centres at major hospitals, including Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Tamale Teaching Hospital.
However, she argued that these interventions remain inadequate in the face of the growing cancer burden, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Hon. Aubynn identified financing as the most critical challenge, noting that the cost of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and long-term care remains beyond the reach of most Ghanaians.
She also criticised the limited coverage of cancer services under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), describing it as a major barrier to equitable access to care.
The MP commended government for introducing the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares), describing it as a timely and compassionate intervention to support citizens living with chronic and life-threatening conditions.
She said the Fund could significantly transform cancer care if it is properly resourced, transparently managed and effectively targeted at the most vulnerable, and urged Parliament to exercise strong oversight to ensure accountability and sustainability.
Beyond financing, Hon. Aubynn called for greater investment in prevention, noting that many cancers can be avoided through healthy lifestyles, vaccination and early screening.
She also advocated the decentralisation of cancer services, urging the establishment of more regional oncology centres, training of specialists and expansion of diagnostic facilities to reduce the need for long-distance travel.
Describing the current situation as unacceptable, she noted that patients from regions such as Upper West, Upper East and parts of Greater Accra still have to travel to Accra or Kumasi for specialised cancer treatment.
In her concluding remarks, Hon. Aubynn called for a unified national response involving government, Parliament, civil society, the private sector and the media.
She emphasised that recognising cancer as a development issue would ensure its integration into national planning, budgeting and policy priorities.
“The fight against cancer is a fight for our workforce, our families and our future. If we fail to act decisively, the cost to Ghana’s development will be far greater than the cost of investing in prevention and care today,” she said.
source: Clement Akoloh||parliamentnews360.com
