The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has inaugurated an important initiative by cutting the sod for the construction of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Comprehensive Cancer Center of Excellence (CCCoE) at Kwaso in the Ejisu municipality, in the Ashanti region of Ghana. This cancer center, which will be located on a 15-acre plot, aims to provide a dedicated facility for comprehensive cancer care. The sod-cutting ceremony took place on October 11, 2024, and was represented by Otumfuo Hiahene Nana Prof Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II. This project is especially significant as it honors the legacy of the 16th King of the Asante Kingdom, tracking a remarkable investment of $100 million, which is being funded through partnerships involving Breast Care International (BCI), Peace and Love Hospitals, Global Health Catalyst, and the University of Pennsylvania.
The first phase of the CCCoE is estimated to require an investment of $10 million, dedicated to setting up critical components such as a Radiotherapy suite, Research Wing, AI Hub, Education Center, and Community Outreach programs. Upon its completion, the center is anticipated to offer an array of services including cancer prevention, treatment, screening, research, education, telemedicine, palliative care, and rehabilitation. Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, the President of BCI, expressed that the establishment of this oncology center will significantly bolster cancer care not just in Ghana but throughout West Africa. Furthermore, she emphasized the center’s potential to serve as a hub for medical tourism, thereby reducing the need for African patients to seek treatment abroad.
Highlighting the state-of-the-art facilities to be equipped at the CCCoE, Dr. Wiafe Addai assured that patients will receive tailored care designed to meet their unique needs. She pointed out that the establishment of this center comes at a crucial time, addressing the high demand for effective cancer treatment and raising awareness of the disease. Dr. Wiafe Addai’s concluding remarks underlined the project’s unprecedented potential to transform cancer care in Ghana and the West African sub-region, inviting support from diverse stakeholders to help realize this vision.
Another key figure in leading this vital project is Prof. Will Ngwa, founder and director of Global Health Catalyst, who has contributed $1 million as seed funding. In his speech, he stressed the importance of collaboration among Ghanaians and local stakeholders to ensure the success of the cancer center, showcasing the project as an opportunity for collective engagement in battling cancer. His dedication to seeing the facility become a reality illustrates the international support required to elevate healthcare standards within the region.
Otumfuo Hiahene Nana Prof Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II applauded the contributions of prominent individuals like Dr. Wiafe Addai and Prof. Ngwa, recognizing their efforts in bringing such an essential project to Ghana. As the Chairperson of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Foundation, he committed $100,000 over five years, with an annual contribution of GHC20,000 until the facility reaches completion. He emphasized that the creation of a dedicated cancer center in Ghana signifies a historical step towards improving cancer care infrastructure and reflects the nation’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare.
Upon completion, the CCCoE is projected to employ over 250 staff members and will house essential facilities and services tailored to cancer care, such as multidisciplinary teams, chemotherapy suites, brachytherapy rooms, laboratories, and surgical theaters, among others. The design of the center incorporates diverse spaces, including examination rooms, minor procedure rooms, recovery wards, medical stores, and even simulation centers. The establishment of this vast facility aims to address the pressing cancer care needs of the population while fostering an environment conducive to research, education, and innovation in medical practices related to cancer treatment and prevention in Ghana and the wider region.
