The fight against cervical cancer in Ghana witnessed a significant technological advancement during World Cancer Day event at the Teshie Community Clinic on 6th February, 2026. The programme, themed “Closing the Care Gap: Community Action for Cancer Prevention and Early Detection in Ghana”, saw the Health Community of West Africa Association and its member, Essence Clinic and Medical Laboratory, introduce and deploy a revolutionary rapid screening test, conducting free screenings for dozens of women on the spot.
Mr. Benjamin Mensah, representing both the Association and Essence Clinic, delivered a stark reminder that cervical cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among Ghanaian women. He then presented a powerful new tool in the fight: an FDA-approved Rapid HPV test kit.
“We have introduced the Rapid HPV test kits, which produce results within 15 minutes, if we take a lab test and have to get results days later, it makes it difficult to even reach those we tested. This kit is a new approach to fight cervical cancer.” Mr. Mensah announced.
He explained that this innovation directly addresses a critical gap in the care continuum. A positive result allows Essence Clinic to immediately redirect the patient to the next course of action, preventing the loss to follow-up that often occurs with slower, traditional testing methods. “The time for losing our wives, mothers, sisters, and grandmothers has to come to an end,” he stated emphatically.
Following the speeches, Essence Clinic set up a dedicated screening station. In a powerful demonstration of community-based action, over 50 women from Teshie and surrounding areas received free, confidential cervical cancer screenings using the new rapid HPV test kits. This immediate service turned awareness into tangible healthcare access.
The event, chaired by Teshie Paramount Chief Nii Ashitey III, underscored the theme of community action. Other speakers, including Dr. Patricia Boamah, a Pediatric Oncologist at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (RIDGE), and Dr. Robert Amesiya of the Ghana Health Service, highlighted the importance of early detection for all cancers. Survivor testimonies and messages from the WHO and Ministry of Health reinforced the national commitment to closing the care gap.
The keynote address by Dr. Lawrence Ofori Boadu, Director of Clinical Service, Ghana Health Service (GHS) on behalf of Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea echoed the day’s practical spirit, stating, “Cancer is not only a hospital disease but a community disease… Our biggest challenge is late detection and delay in care seeking.”
The day concluded with a strong call from community leaders and health professionals for continued collaboration, ensuring that such advanced screening tools become widely accessible across Ghana.
The successful integration of cutting-edge technology with immediate, free community service by the Health Community of West Africa Association and Essence Clinic provided a compelling model for how partnerships can translate health dialogue into direct impact, bringing the goal of eliminating cervical cancer one step closer.
