A new foundation for the promotion of cancer advocacy in Africa has been launched in Accra.

The Cancer Care Africa Foundation, which is the brainchild of Naomi Oyoe Ohene Nti, winner of the 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, is meant to enhance advocacy for oncological treatment and improve cancer education on the continent.

Naomi Nti in her welcome address, said the launch f the foundation and the subsequent introduction of the Cancer Genetic Councelling Certificate Programme for Oncological Nurses in Africa (CGCP-ON Africa), is about defining a strategic vision and mobilising coordinated action to transform cancer care across the continent.

CanCAF, she said is “committed to transforming the landscape of cancer care across the continent by strengthening cancer control systems, reduce disparities and ensuring that all persons can access cancer care.”

She continued, “Our vision is clear: to ensure that no African, and no Ghanaian, is denied quality cancer care because of where they live. Our mission is equally clear: to strengthen health systems, improve patient outcomes and empower the cancer workforce to lead Africa’s response to this growing crisis through capacity building, awareness, advocacy, policy engagement and strategic partnerships to improve detection, treatment and survivorship.”

In view of this, she has teamed up with the West Africa Genetic Medicine Centre to organise a 16-week Cancer Genetic Counselling Certificate Programme for practising nurses to train about 40 nurses across the continent in about two years.

Provost of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, Professor Alfred Edwin Yawson, acknowledged that non-communicable diseases continue to rise on the continent.

He described the launch as “a bold commitment to changing the narrative around cancer. We want to advance awareness, strengthen cancer care, as well as provide evidence-based interventions, especially for cancers that have a specific genetic predisposition for people of African descent.”

He welcomed the introduction of the CGCP-ON Africa, saying, “Anything that has to do with building the capacity of our nurses and healthcare providers is germane to the cause of fighting cancer.”

The Director of the West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC), Dr Amma Benneh, said the initiative is a reflection of what is possible when shared vision is marked with purposeful collaboration.

She said the introduction of the certificate course will extend the reach of WAGMC, which already runs a 2-year MSc course, “ensuring that critical knowledge in cancer genetics is shared with those at the forefront of patient care.”

This, she indicated, is important in the face of the growing burden of cancer on the continent.

Dr Benneh stated that the understanding of cancer is evolving, with the recognition that genetics plays a central role in diagnosis and treatment, as well as prevention.

As a result of this, she said, “Genetic counselling is no longer optional. It is essential in delivering truly comprehensive modern cancer care.”