PROSTATE CANCER FIGHT: KNOWLEDGE IS KEY - CHED BOSS

Date: 20th November 2023

The Executive Director of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED), Rev. Edwin Afari, has highlighted the important role knowledge plays in the fight against prostate cancer. 

Rev. Afari was speaking at a Prostate Cancer Awareness campaign organized by CHED to screen male staff and educate them on Prostate Cancer and associated conditions. He expressed CHED’s commitment to staff prostate health stating that as the motivation for bringing in prostate health experts to educate them. 

“Our commitment to prostate health should send a powerful message to all of us that we are together in this, and being able to come together and learn at the feet of experts is of great value to us”, he stated.

Rev. Afari advised the men to take preventive measures for their prostate health and watch out for warning signs to enable early detection and prevention of the cancer. He urged staff, to embrace the knowledge being shared as it serves as a platform for change. 

“Knowledge is a catalyst for change and so let’s arm ourselves with information and empower ourselves so that we can inform others and help prevent Prostate Cancer”. 

Reinforcing the words of Rev. Afari, the Director of Human Resources at Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Mr. Francis Gyamfi Ocran, encouraged all to do more in creating awareness and becoming strong advocates for Prostate Cancer. According to him, the fight against Prostate Cancer is a collective one that requires the efforts of both men and women to minimize the risk of the cancer.

“Let’s use our collective voice to encourage preventive measures, support research and foster a culture where we feel empowered to prioritize prostate health. We can create a future where no one person fights prostate health alone. We are all in it together to raise the needed awareness to compel men to get screened for Prostate Cancer. This is a fight that both sexes should fight” he said. 

Mr. Gyamfi Ocran commended the innovative vision of CHED in driving awareness programmes in the organization, urging them to continue in their exemplary work. He lauded them for spearheading the creation of Prostate Cancer Awareness in the industry, leading the way to break the silence surrounding prostate cancer by opening conversations around the subject. 

As part of the programme, CHED in collaboration with prostate health experts, Medi-Moses, organized free screening for men to get their prostate checked. Dr. Prince Osei, who led the team, provided a comprehensive overview of the prostate, highlighting its functions and shedding light on various diseases associated with it.

He advised men to get their prostates checked regularly rather than wait for the start of symptoms before proceeding to get checked. The talk centred on the distinctions between prostate diseases, signs, prevention, risk factors as well as treatment options for prostate diseases including Prostate Cancer.

Staff were admonished to pay critical attention to their diet and to incorporate in it daily consumption of cocoa as it contains antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of cancer.