The Haven of Love Children’s Foundation, a Christian non-governmental organization, has screened over 650 women in rural communities in the Bawku West and Nabdam Districts for breast and cervical cancers.
The four-day exercise, in partnership with the Global Impact for Rural Innovation Foundation (GIRIF), benefitted women at Kongo in the Nabdam District, and the Apoodabogo, Teshie and Sapeliga communities in the Bawku West District.
The initiative, which was one of several health, social and educational programmes by the Foundation over the years, was intended to promote early detection, prevention and health education among women in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
Apart from the screening exercise, leadership of the organization engaged students of the Kongo Senior High School, the Kusanaba Vocational and the Apoodabogo Junior High Schools as part of the programme.
The students were engaged in interactive sessions on drug abuse, HIV, bad peer pressure and self-esteem, which equipped them with knowledge to make informed life choices.
Mr Samuel Nana-Bekai Djirackor, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Haven of Love Children’s Foundation, said combining the screening exercise with the education programme ensured both immediate and long-term benefits.
He attributed the success of the programme to the partnership between his outfit and the GIRIF, and said the backbone of the initiative ensured women received free, professional and dignified healthcare services.
The CEO thanked leadership of the GIRIF for the collaboration and contribution to healthcare delivery in the beneficiary communities.
He further expressed gratitude to the Bawku West and Nabdam District Assemblies, Health Directorates, traditional leaders, health professionals, volunteers, and community members for their cooperation and support throughout the exercise.
Mr Djirackor, who is also the 2024 JoyNews Impact Makers Award winner, reaffirmed the Foundation’s dedication to expanding access to healthcare, education, and preventive services across Ghana’s rural communities.
Mr Robert Alambilla, the Health Promotion Officer of the Ghana Health Service in the Nabdam District, thanked the Haven of Love Children’s Foundation and the GIRIF for the screening exercise, and indicated the Service’s willingness to collaborate with other organizations and stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery in the area.
Some beneficiaries, in interviews, highlighted the life-changing impact of the screening exercise and appealed for more of such exercises in their communities.
