Council of State Member Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple Backs Proposal for Cancer Research Centre in Volta Region

Council of State member H.E. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple has formally endorsed a transformative proposal to establish a specialized cancer research centre in the Volta Region. The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Council for Ewe Associations in North America (CEANA) and the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), seeks to address the significant deficit in oncological care and research facilities within the country. The proposal is set to be a primary agenda item during the upcoming 2026 CEANA Conference in Maryland, USA, where stakeholders will gather to formalize the roadmap for the project.

Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, Kwamigah-Atokple pointed to the critical shortage of modern radiotherapy technology and the limited access to advanced diagnostic tools currently available to patients in Ghana. Working alongside CEANA President William Edem Kumah, the Council of State member emphasizes that the project aims to bridge the gap between existing healthcare infrastructure and the evolving needs of the population. The partnership with UHAS is intended to ensure that the centre is not only a clinical facility but also an academic hub dedicated to understanding cancer patterns specific to the West African sub-region.

Beyond the physical construction of a medical facility, the proposal underscores the necessity of leveraging the expertise of the Ghanaian diaspora. Kwamigah-Atokple has called for a strategic partnership with international medical organizations and Ghanaians living abroad to enhance the institutional capacity of the healthcare system. By encouraging "brain gain," the initiative seeks to bring global best practices and innovative research methodologies to the University of Health and Allied Sciences, ultimately fostering a more resilient healthcare environment that can provide specialized care locally.

As the administration under President John Mahama focuses on strengthening the national health insurance framework and improving regional health outcomes, this proposed research centre aligns with broader national goals of achieving universal health coverage. The successful implementation of this project could serve as a vital blueprint for public-private-diaspora collaborations in other medical fields. By centering this research in the Volta Region, stakeholders hope to decentralize specialized healthcare services and provide a beacon of hope for thousands of cancer patients across the country.