The walk which is in its 7^th year and aimed at increasing awareness about the disease was themed “our breasts, let’s check them.”

The event was organized by the Breast Care International (BCI) in collaboration with the Peace and Love Hospitals.

The enthusiastic walkers moved through some principal streets of Koforidua and held placards which read: “breast cancer is curable,” “breast cancer is survivable” among others.

Speaking in an interview, President of Breast Care International, and CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, said, “The annual BCI Ghana Walk for the Cure has assumed a national character, attracting people from every strata of society, affirming that our awareness creation program has been embraced by all.”

“We are riding on this national acceptance to increase our visibility, and by extension, heighten and sustain awareness about this debilitating disease, which, but for our consistency, would have needlessly destroyed several precious lives and families.”

According to the American Cancer Society, every 69 seconds a woman somewhere in the world dies from breast cancer; and a woman is diagnosed every 19 seconds.

In Ghana, breast cancer continues to occupy the first position in mortality as far as cancers are concerned.

Reports suggest that about 60% of patients report to the hospital at a late stage making it difficult to be cured.

“Breast cancer statistics would remain a scar on our conscience, if we do not collectively fight the condition as a National disaster,” Dr. Wiafe added.

The event coincided with the annual “Akwantukese” Festival of the people in the region, blending tradition with health, in an all-embracing event.

Politicians, breast cancer ambassadors, the clergy, students, teachers, farmers and civil society organizations walked in solidarity for the cure.

President of BCI was grateful to the headline sponsor, Delta Airlines and several reputable multinational organizations as well as individuals that supported the walk.

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Source: Breast Care International

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The judgment debt may be slapped if a brewing tussle between the Teshie Family Hospital and oil service company AI does not simmer down any time soon.

A.I was last year granted a permit by authorities to construct a two story office and filling station which will see the construction of a banking hall, restaurant, lounge, shops and filling station among others.

The project is expected to service residents of the Ledzokuku- Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) and beyond and create hundreds of jobs for the community.

Documents citied by Citi News reveal LEKMA in October last year gave the oil company the go ahead to construct the facility, while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the same month also granted the company a permit to construct the facility.

In December 2013 the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) as well as the Ghana Fire Service in May of the same year also granted the oil company the license to build the facility.

But management of the hospital raised objections to the construction of the facility despite authorities granting permits for its construction.

The hospital’s objection to the construction of the facility was the fear of a potential fire out break or explosion or likely respiratory problems caused by the constant inhalation of fumes from the fuel station by patients and workers in the health facility.

But a site plan cited by Citi News amid other documents reveal the oil service company has altered construction of the facility as well as put in place measures to ensure these concerns are addressed.

The documents also reveal that the EPA before granting the permit imposed conditions on A.I after taking account the hospital’s concerns.

Among the conditions imposed was that the pump and fuel tank be built at a certain distance and at the opposite side of the facility and far away from the hospital, at a certain depth in a manner that will be more secure and less likely to contaminate the environment, in line with international standards for building such facilities in such areas.

A.I was also ordered to inculcate the latest technology Vapor Recovery System (VRS) to ensure fumes emanating from the pumps are absorbed.

The VRS is a technology that absorbs about 98 percent of fumes pumps release.

Citi News has learnt the oil company is the first in the history of the country to introduce the technology.

Citi FM has also gathered that another condition that was imposed on the oil company before the permit was granted is the construction of a high wall to block any likely fumes emanating from the station as well as the building of the shopping centre between the hospital and the fuel tank facility so there is a dividing structure.

Meanwhile an earlier court ruling dismissed the hospital’s application seeking for an injunction to stop the construction of the filling station while the court decides on whether the station should be located there on not.

There are fears that if the process for the construction of the facility is halted by any of the state organizations it will mean the state will have to cough the cost incurred by the oil company in putting up the project which is likely to run into millions of dollars.

A visit to the site show the project is already at its completion state.

By: Vivian Kai Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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