On Friday, security women from the Ghana Immigration Service, Police Service and Prisons Service marched through the principal streets of Wa, the Upper West Regional capital, wearing their uniforms and pink ribbons as part of the annual Pink October breast‑cancer awareness campaign. The procession, led by Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Prospera Soliku, President of the Immigration Ladies Association (IMMILAC) for the Upper West Region, turned the city’s streets pink and drew attention to the importance of early detection and prevention of the disease.
Soliku, who has championed the welfare, health and professional development of female officers, used the campaign to share a deeply personal message. “This cause is deeply personal to me. I lost my beloved aunt, who actually cut my wedding cake, as well as a close friend and her sister to this breast cancer,” she told officers at the Regional Headquarters of the Ghana Immigration Service, where the float ended.
The exercise, themed “Every Story Is Unique, Every Journey Matters,” sought to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and the importance of early detection. Health Promotion Officer Leticia Yuorkuu of Wa Municipal Hospital explained that breast cancer is caused by genetic mutation of the DNA and is not spread by air, sex, blood or food. She identified alcohol consumption, smoking, an unhealthy diet, obesity, lack of exercise, early menarche, late menopause and late childbirth as risk factors.
Medical Officer Dr Adam Mansura of the Upper West Regional Hospital cautioned that cancer can spread without obvious symptoms and stressed the need for early assessment. He demonstrated two methods of breast self‑examination and advised participants to look for lumps, changes in breast size or shape, skin discoloration and nipple discharge.
At the close of the event, Regional Commander Justice Ayensu Bosomtwe urged officers to take their physical fitness seriously, promising mandatory physical training to reduce the risk of disease. The programme also included free breast screening for participants and members of the public by a medical team from the Upper West Regional Hospital.
Participants included the Regional Second‑in‑Command, the Regional Passport Director, media representatives, officers from sister security services and members of the Immigration Men’s Association. Organisers urged the community to sustain breast cancer awareness beyond October, prioritising early detection, screening and access to accurate information.
