Urgent call for nationwide action on cervical cancer prevention
Health advocates, led by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult), are pressing Ghana to accelerate cervical cancer prevention nationwide. The call comes as the country advances toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3)—ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all—with a target of 2030 in sight. Advocates argue that timely investment in screening, vaccination, and treatment is essential to closing persistent gaps in lower-income communities and preventing thousands of needless deaths.
The context: cervical cancer and SDG 3 in Ghana
Cervical cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among Ghanaian women, disproportionately affecting those in low-resource settings. While globally many countries have made progress through organized screening programs and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, Ghana faces structural challenges: limited access to screening services, cost barriers, and gaps in awareness. CDA Consult emphasizes that achieving SDG 3 requires a multi-faceted approach that integrates prevention, early detection, and access to effective treatment across the entire country, with special attention to underserved regions.
Key components of accelerated prevention
- Scaled-up screening: Expanding HPV-based screening programs to reach rural and peri-urban communities, reducing travel burdens and waiting times.
- HPV vaccination deployment: Ensuring school-based and community vaccination campaigns reach pre-adolescent girls, with strategies to maintain high coverage.
- Affordability and access: Subsidies, insurance coverage, or government-supported programs to lower out-of-pocket costs for tests, vaccines, and treatment.
- Treatment and palliative care: Strengthening referral networks, pathology services, and timely treatment for those diagnosed with cervical precancer or cancer.
- Data-driven planning: Building robust cancer registries and monitoring systems to guide resource allocation and measure progress toward SDG 3 targets.
Policy recommendations from advocates
The CDA Consult briefing outlines pragmatic steps for policymakers, donors, and public health agencies. First, integrate cervical cancer prevention into primary health care expansion—with screening offered alongside other essential services. Second, allocate predictable funding for HPV vaccination programs, including cold chain logistics and community mobilization. Third, remove financial barriers by subsidizing screening and vaccines for low-income households. Fourth, invest in workforce development—training nurses and midwives to conduct screenings and provide counseling. Finally, foster public-private partnerships and international collaboration to accelerate access to innovative vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment options.
Community engagement and awareness
Community-based education is critical to shifting norms and encouraging uptake of preventive services. Culturally sensitive messaging, male partner involvement, and trusted community leaders can combat stigma and misinformation. Mobile clinics, weekend service hours, and community health workers visiting households can extend reach to women who might otherwise miss screening windows. By anchoring prevention in local contexts, Ghana can build sustainable momentum toward SDG 3 outcomes.
Economic and social benefits
Investing in cervical cancer prevention yields broad social returns. Early detection reduces treatment costs, preserves women’s health and productivity, and alleviates the emotional and financial strain on families. In the long run, a prevention-focused program can strengthen the country’s health security and resilience, enabling women to contribute more fully to economic development and family well-being. The CBD Consult note frames these benefits as essential to Ghana’s broader development agenda—where healthy communities are foundational to prosperity.
Measuring success and accountability
To track progress, Ghana should set clear indicators: vaccination coverage rates by district, screening uptake across age groups, stage-at-diagnosis statistics, and treatment initiation timelines. Regular public reporting and independent evaluations will build trust and ensure resources reach the intended populations. The SDG 3 lens reinforces that progress must be inclusive, equitable, and sustainable, reducing disparities between urban centers and underserved regions.
Conclusion: A national imperative
With SDG 3 on the horizon, accelerated cervical cancer prevention is not a luxury but a necessity for Ghana. The CDA Consult’s call to action is a timely reminder that comprehensive, well-funded, and locally tailored strategies can save lives, strengthen communities, and drive measurable gains in women’s health. By prioritizing vaccination, screening, treatment access, and data-driven planning, Ghana can move closer to a future free from avoidable cervical cancer mortality.
