MTN’s Yellow Ladies Network, a non‑profit group of the company’s female staff, conducted a free breast‑cancer screening for 500 women in Accra’s markets on 26 October 2026, marking this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Chief Finance Officer Antoinette Kwofie, who chairs the network, said the initiative extends beyond staff welfare to community health interventions. The network, founded in 2025 to empower and coach MTN women, also reaches customers and the wider community.
Last year the group raised funds for the Breast Cancer Unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital and for Breast Care International. This year’s theme, “better outcomes through action,” prompted the decision to bring screening to market women, who often lack time to visit hospitals.
Doctors from several hospitals staffed the site, offering self‑examination training, survivor stories, and free screening. The event began at 8:00 a.m., with long queues indicating many women had overcome fear of the procedure.
Dr Beatrice Wiafe Addae, President of Breast Care International and CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, partnered with MTN. She warned that over 5,000 Ghanaian women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually and more than 2,300 die, yet early detection can save lives. She noted that 60‑70 % of patients are diagnosed at stages three or four, while early stages allow breast‑conserving surgery.
Risk factors highlighted included family history, late childbirth, alcohol, smoking, skin‑lightening products, lack of exercise and fatty diets. Dr Addae urged financial support for patients, as screening and biopsy are not covered by health insurance, and suggested enrolling vulnerable patients in the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty programme.
With the screening complete, the network plans to continue outreach and education, aiming to reduce fear, stigma and mortality associated with breast cancer in Ghana.
