The Industrial and Commercial Workers’ Union (ICU-Ghana) has called on women to prioritise their health through regular breast awareness checks, appropriate clinical screening and prompt medical attention to help improve the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
The Union also urged men to play an active role in supporting women to seek medical advice and participate in appropriate screening programmes, stressing that breast cancer awareness should be a collective responsibility.
The call was made by the General Secretary of ICU-Ghana, Morgan Ayawine, during a breast cancer awareness programme organised in collaboration with Ibis Styles Hotel in Accra on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Addressing participants, Mr Ayawine described the initiative as an important partnership aimed at raising awareness, promoting early detection and ultimately saving lives among workers and the Ghanaian population.
He noted that breast cancer remained a major health concern, with consequences extending beyond individuals to affect families and communities.
“Early detection and timely medical intervention can significantly improve treatment outcomes and save lives. Going by the common maxim, ‘the earlier the better’, I believe this is the best way to deal with our health issues,” he stated.
The ICU-Ghana General Secretary expressed concern that many women continued to suffer in silence due to fear, stigma and inadequate information about the disease.
He therefore called for a change in attitudes towards breast cancer, urging women not to allow fear or social stigma to prevent them from seeking medical attention.
“Today, we must send a clear message: no more silence! Early detection matters. Regular breast self-awareness, appropriate clinical screening, and seeking medical attention promptly when unusual changes are noticed can make a significant difference,” he emphasised.
Mr Ayawine further encouraged men to become active partners in the fight against breast cancer by supporting and encouraging their wives, relatives and other women to seek medical advice and undergo appropriate screening.
He also highlighted the need to broaden breast cancer awareness campaigns to include men, pointing out that although the disease predominantly affects women, men can also develop breast cancer.
According to him, awareness programmes must therefore be inclusive and designed to protect the health and well-being of both men and women.
The General Secretary also paid tribute to breast cancer survivors, describing their courage, resilience and determination as a source of inspiration and hope to people affected by the disease.
“To our breast cancer survivors, you are an inspiration to us all. Your courage, resilience, and determination remind us that there is hope, even in the face of a breast cancer diagnosis,” he said.
As the month of October, recognised globally for breast cancer awareness activities, draws to a close, Mr Ayawine called for sustained public education and continuous engagement beyond the awareness month.
He urged individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to maintain the momentum by encouraging early detection, promoting open conversations about the disease and extending support to those affected.
He stressed that national development could not be achieved without prioritising the health of the people, whom he described as the greatest assets of every nation.
“We cannot continue to talk about building a nation without prioritising the health of human beings who constitute the greatest assets of a nation,” he declared.
The programme forms part of efforts by ICU-Ghana and Ibis Styles Hotel to strengthen breast cancer awareness, encourage preventive health practices and promote a healthier workforce and society.
The collaboration underscores the importance of partnerships between organised labour and the corporate sector in addressing critical health issues affecting workers.
By Daniel Opoku
