Author: Priscilla Akorfa Fomevor

By Hilda Kai Larsey Every October, the world is awash with pink ribbons, a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight against breast cancer. However, beyond the pink campaigns, organizations work tirelessly throughout the year to educate, encourage early detection, and support survivors and their families. In Ghana, one organization that stand out is the Naomi Mikafui Breast Cancer Foundation, founded by Mr. Nuelz Ehum-Addo. On October 1st, at Essence Clinic and Medical Laboratory, Mr. Ehum-Addo shared his journey, vision, and mission in keeping alive the legacy of his late wife, Naomi. His story is one of grief, resilience and a…

In a major move to promote regional health cooperation, a representative from the Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA) Association, Mr. Yoshua Kodjovi Domedjui – Director of content, paid Togo’s Minister of Health, Professor Tchin DARRE, a courtesy call at the Ministry of Health in Lomé on 1st October, 2025. The meeting, held in a cordial and forward-looking atmosphere, served to strengthen ties and discuss pivotal initiatives for the West African health sector. The central focus was the upcoming Health Ministers Summit, which aims to pilot the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into regional healthcare systems. Professor DARRE warmly received…

The National Association of Nursing in Togo launched its pivotal triennial General Assembly on 30th September, 2025 in the nation’s capital, Lomé, marking a significant step forward for healthcare governance and regional collaboration in West Africa. The Health Community of West Africa (HCOWA) Association was prominently recognized as a pivotal catalyst for regional healthcare collaboration during the opening day of the National Association of Nursing in Togo’s triennial General Assembly on Monday The opening ceremony, which commenced at 9:00am, gathered a distinguished assembly of the country’s top health leaders. The event was graced by the presence of officials from the…

 The Community Practice Pharmacists Association (CPPA) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), in partnership with the Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA), have officially launched the 3rd Community Pharmacy Month Celebration under the theme “We Are Doing More—Consult Your Pharmacist!”. The launch, held at the British Council Hall in Accra, brought together health professionals, pharmacists, policymakers and stakeholders from across the healthcare spectrum. The event highlighted the expanding role of community pharmacists as vital contributors to primary healthcare delivery in Ghana. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Emmanuel Kwaku Ireland, Chairman of the CPPA, underscored the critical services pharmacists…

The Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) and MAB International Hospital have forged a strategic alliance to incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into medical treatment, diagnostics and traditional medicine—a significant step toward improving healthcare in West Africa.  This alliance seeks to establish MAB as a regional center for AI-Powered healthcare innovation. During a high-level meeting at MAB International Hospital, HCOWAA Vice President, Mr. Opoku Dogbey, outlined five key components of the partnership: 1. AI Treatment – MAB will serve as the focal point for AI-based treatments for private hospitals across Ghana. 2. AI-Powered Disease Control – Enhanced surveillance and management…

The Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) has secured strategic partnerships with three leading Ghanaian institutions in the traditional and alternative medicine field. These collaborations aim to enhance research, policy development, and innovation, integrating herbal medicine towards advancing healthcare.  The newly signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU’s) establish cooperation between HCOWAA and the Nyarkotey University College of Holistic Medicine and Technology, the Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners’ Associations (GHAFTRAM), and the Ghana Alternative Medical Practitioners Association (GAMPA). Together, they will work to merge traditional healing practices with modern scientific methods and digital health technologies. Key Focus Areas of the…

The Health Community of West Africa Association (HCOWAA) has officially launched the West African Traditional Medicine Cooperation and Exchange Centre (WATMCEC) under the theme “Traditional Medicine, Modern Impact: A West African Collaboration” on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement, University of Ghana, Legon, marking a historic step toward advancing traditional medicine in the sub-region. The initiative aims to strengthen traditional medicine through research, certification, and cross-border collaboration, bringing together practitioners, policymakers and international experts to advance healthcare in the region. In his keynote address, Mr. Prince Opoku Dogbey, Vice President of HCOWAA, declared: “Africa…

In a heartfelt interview with HealthPulse Magazine, Dr. Mary Dede Ansong, CEO and Co-founder of the International Sickle Cell Centre, shared her personal journey and the driving force behind her mission to combat sickle cell disease in Ghana and beyond.  Her awakening came during her university years when her twin sister, in tears, discovered she was a carrier of the sickle cell trait. That moment ignited Dr. Ansong’s determination to address the widespread lack of awareness surrounding the condition. “I realized it was a huge issue, and something needed to be done, not just in the country but internationally” she…

The 2nd Annual International Sickle Cell Centre (ISCC) Conference held on 20th June, 2025 at Tang Palace, Accra —brought together patients, advocates, and healthcare professionals to address the urgent challenges faced by sickle cell warriors, emphasizing prevention, education, and systemic reforms. Personal testimonies and expert insights underscored the gap between available solutions and their accessibility, particularly in low-resource settings. Shadrack Benjamin, a sickle cell warrior for 20 years, shared his harrowing journey: “Today you are fine, tomorrow you are not. Before ISCC, I was hospitalized four times a month. Now, I’ve learned to cope—going months without admission.” His story highlighted…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released the first global recommendations for managing sickle cell disease (SCD) during pregnancy, in an attempt to address a long-overlooked health concern.  This milestone aims to protect the lives of women and babies who are at increased risk as a result of the illness, which affects millions throughout the world. Sickle cell disease, an inherited blood ailment, causes red blood cells to bend into crescent shapes, resulting in extreme pain, anemia, infections, and potentially fatal complications such as strokes and organ failure. Pregnancy exacerbates these dangers, with women suffering with SCD facing a four…