Cancer Care Africa Foundation Launched to Transform Cancer Outcomes Across the Continent
A Ghanaian award-winning nurse launches a pioneering foundation and training programme to boost early cancer detection and strengthen oncology care across Africa.
- Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti launches Cancer Care Africa Foundation to tackle gaps in cancer care across the continent.
- Introduction of Africa’s first Genetic Counselling Certificate Programme for oncology nurses.
- Initiative focuses on early detection, workforce development, and equitable access to quality cancer treatment.
A major step toward improving cancer care in Africa has been taken with the official launch of the Cancer Care Africa Foundation (CanCAF) and a groundbreaking training initiative aimed at strengthening early detection and treatment across the continent.
The foundation was established by Ghanaian nurse Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, winner of the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, who is championing efforts to address long-standing gaps in cancer care delivery in Africa. Alongside the foundation, she introduced its flagship programme—the Cancer Genetic Counselling Certificate Programme for Oncology Nurses in Africa (CGCP-ON Africa)—the first initiative of its kind tailored specifically for oncology nurses on the continent.
The launch event took place at the West African Genetic Medicine Centre at the University of Ghana and drew a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, academic leaders, development partners, and religious figures. The gathering underscored a shared commitment to reshaping cancer care outcomes in Ghana and across Africa.
In her address, Oti described the initiative as a collective and urgent effort to change the narrative surrounding cancer care in Africa. She emphasized that many patients are diagnosed too late, often when treatment options are limited and costs are prohibitive.
“For too many families, a cancer diagnosis comes when hope feels out of reach,” she said. “This launch is about ensuring that where someone lives no longer determines whether they survive cancer.”
She highlighted key challenges such as late detection, limited public awareness, and shortages in skilled healthcare professionals, stressing that these issues continue to cost lives across the continent.
At the heart of the foundation’s mission is a vision to ensure equitable access to quality cancer care for all Africans. The CGCP-ON Africa programme will play a central role by equipping oncology nurses with specialized skills in genetic counselling—an increasingly important aspect of modern, precision-based cancer treatment.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Jemima Dennis Antwi, CEO of the Center for Health Development and Research (CEHDAR), emphasized the importance of integrating science with cultural understanding in cancer care.
“Genetic counselling is not just about science; it is about people, culture, and trust,” she noted. “This programme will bridge the gap between innovation and access while strengthening culturally responsive care.”
Representing the Minister of Health, Dr. Hafiz Adams praised the initiative for aligning with Ghana’s national cancer control priorities. He highlighted the growing role of genomics, innovation, and data in healthcare and stressed the importance of investing in nurses.
“When we empower nurses, we invest in lives saved and families strengthened,” he said.
Other speakers, including Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson of the University of Ghana and Dr. Amma Benneh of the West African Genetic Medicine Centre, pointed to the rising cancer burden in Africa and called for stronger collaboration, research, and innovation to address the crisis.
The Cancer Care Africa Foundation will focus on six key strategic priorities, including developing a standardized competency framework for oncology nursing, promoting early detection through education and advocacy, expanding access to training and mentorship, and strengthening partnerships across governments and institutions.
The initiative also aims to empower nurses as leaders in cancer care policy and advocacy while fostering unified leadership in oncology nursing across Africa.
Goodwill messages from global health partners and institutions reinforced the importance of collective action in closing persistent gaps in cancer care delivery.
The event concluded with the official unveiling of both the Cancer Care Africa Foundation and its genetic counselling certificate programme, marking the beginning of a long-term effort to improve cancer outcomes and save lives across Africa.
