Urgent Call to Accelerate Cervical Cancer Prevention in Ghana
Health advocates, led by Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult), are pressing for swift, nationwide action to combat cervical cancer in Ghana. As the country works toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) by 2030, experts warn that gaps in awareness, vaccination, screening, and treatment disproportionately affect low-income communities and rural areas. The call to action emphasizes policy commitment, community engagement, and sustainable funding to reduce mortality and improve women’s health across the nation.
Why Cervical Cancer Persists in Low-Income Areas
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana, with highest burden in poorer districts where health services are scarce. Barriers include limited access to vaccines and screening, transportation challenges, stigma, and a shortage of trained healthcare workers. In addition, late-stage presentation means many women reach facilities when treatment options are less effective. Addressing these structural barriers is essential to closing the equity gap and aligning with SDG 3 targets for a healthy, productive population.
The CDA Consult Plan: A Multi-Pronged Approach
The CDA Consult framework centers on four pillars designed to accelerate prevention and improve outcomes:
- Prevention through Vaccination: Expanding HPV vaccination for eligible girls and, where appropriate, boys, to build herd protection and reduce future cervical cancer incidence.
- Accessible Screening: Implementing affordable, community-based screening programs using HPV testing and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) to detect precancerous changes early.
- Timely Treatment: Strengthening referral networks and ensuring pathology and treatment services are available close to communities, with social support to reduce loss to follow-up.
- Health Education and Community Engagement: Culturally sensitive campaigns to raise awareness about cervical cancer risks, the importance of vaccination and screening, and how to access services.
Past experiences show that when communities are involved in program design and decision-making, uptake improves. The plan calls for partnerships with local governments, non-governmental organizations, faith groups, and the private sector to create sustainable, scalable solutions.
Strategies to Reach Underserved Populations
To ensure no woman is left behind, CDA Consult recommends tailoring interventions to the needs of rural and low-income urban communities. Strategies include mobile clinics, school-based vaccination programs, and workplace outreach in markets and transportation hubs. By integrating cervical cancer services with existing maternal health, child health, and sexually transmitted infection programs, Ghana can maximize resources and reduce missed opportunities for prevention and care.
Funding and Policy Alignment
A critical element of accelerated prevention is stable funding. The advocates urge the government to allocate more resources to cervical cancer prevention within the national health budget, complemented by donor support and private sector partnerships. Policy alignment with SDG 3 requires measurable targets, reliable supply chains for vaccines and diagnostic tools, and transparent monitoring and evaluation to track progress over time.
Measuring Success
Key indicators include vaccination coverage rates, screening uptake, detection of precancerous lesions, treatment completion, and reductions in late-stage diagnoses. Data must be disaggregated by region, income level, and urban-rural status to identify gaps and adjust strategies quickly. Community feedback mechanisms will help ensure programs are respectful, acceptable, and responsive to local realities.
Why Now Is the Moment for Action
The window to prevent cervical cancer is narrowing as population demographics shift and health systems face competing demands. Accelerating prevention aligns with Ghana’s broader health objectives and the global push toward SDG 3: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. By prioritizing equity, transparency, and collaboration, the country can dramatically reduce the burden of cervical cancer and protect the futures of countless women and families.
