Students of GCTU on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, participated in a breast cancer awareness programme aimed at educating them on the importance of regular breast self-examination and early detection of breast cancer.
The programme also addressed teenage pregnancy and its associated challenges, providing a platform for discussions on reproductive health, the prevention of teenage pregnancy and the importance of making informed decisions.
The event was organized through a collaboration among the GCTU Students’ Representative Council (SRC), Voice of the Zygote, a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on women’s advocacy and reproductive health dialogue and WYDE Political Parties, an organization that empowers women and young people.
The Dean of Students Affairs, Professor Ruhiya Abubakar, addressing the students, said breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related illness among women in many countries.
She emphasized that early diagnosis is essential to effective breast cancer control, noting that when the disease is detected early and appropriate diagnosis and treatment are available, the chances of successful treatment improve significantly.
Professor Abubakar stressed the importance of regular breast examinations and screening, warning that late detection could endanger lives, particularly those of women.
She added that the University is concerned about the health and well-being of its students and remained committed to supporting initiatives that promote health awareness and saving lives.
The Founding President of Family Renaissance International, Reverend Catherine Onwioduokit, described teenage pregnancy as a major public health and social challenge in Ghana.
She noted that teenage pregnancy remains a significant factor contributing to school dropout among girls and encouraged students to make responsible decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
Reverend. Onwioduokit also urged students to avoid early sexual engagement and its potential consequences. She, however, encouraged students who were already single mothers not to abandon their educational aspirations, but to remain focused on their studies and work towards achieving their goals.
The Chief Executive Officer of Hearts and Habits Foundation, Elder Amos Kevin-Annan, observed that although growing up in a single-parent household may present certain challenges, family circumstances do not necessarily determine an individual’s future.
He explained that individuals raised by both parents could also develop irresponsible behaviours, including the misuse of family resources and encouraged students from single-parent homes not to lose hope, but to remain determined to succeed in life.
A medical practitioner, Dr. Ken Kwadwo Amaniapong, highlighted the effects of mental stress on physical health, drawing attention to the challenges associated with anxiety and single parenting. He encouraged students to maintain a positive mindset, describing the mind as an important tool in managing health and well-being.
He explained that psychological distress could sometimes manifest through physical symptoms, even when routine medical investigations did not reveal an obvious underlying condition.
He therefore urged students to avoid unnecessary stress, manage their concerns constructively and prioritize their academic work, while paying attention to their mental and physical health.
