C/Can 2025: City Cancer Challenge Inaugural Kumasi Executive Committee Meeting 07 February 2018
Opening Ceremony & Press Briefing (Morning Session – Open Press) The official opening events of C/Can 2025 in Kumasi began with the introduction of Nana Baffour Owusu Amankwatia IV as the Chairman of the Opening Ceremony, who made welcoming remarks to the assembled Executive Committee, UICC international guests, attendees from Kumasi, and members of the press, and reaffirmed his commitment to lead the fight in the war against cancer. A Welcome Address was made by Hon. Antwi Osei Assibey, Metropolitan Chief Executive of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, during which he highlighted the importance of Kumasi as the first C/Can 2025 city in Africa and the role the city would play as a leader for the continent. The Honourable Mayor shared his experience in Mexico City where Kumasi was officially announced as the next C/Can 2025 city, and commended the leaders and health professionals in Kumasi’s whose commitment and engagement helped to secure Kumasi’s selection. The Honourable Mayor also announced that an office space had been secured by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to house C/Can 2025 and the Kumasi Cancer Registry. The Regional Minister of Ashanti, Hon. Simon Osei Mensah spoke to the audience and press about the importance of addressing cancer, since it kills more than 7 million people annually – more than HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria combined. He committed Kumasi to be a leading city for C/Can 2025, providing an example not only for Africa, but for all cities around the world. The Honourable Minister highlighted the alignment of all levels of government in their commitment to C/Can 2025 and how their unified support for the initiative during the due diligence phase was responsible for Kumasi’s selection.
In closing, the Honourable Minister charged everyone present to contribute their knowledge and resources to this project, saying it will be an “all hands on deck” effort for the city of Kumasi. Ms. Melissa Rendler Garcia, Director of Regional Operations for C/Can 2025 spoke to the assembled audience and press about the City Cancer Challenge program and process. She highlighted the importance of local ownership of this initiative, saying that C/Can 2025 would be “for Kumasi, by Kumasi.” She also highlighted C/Can 2025’s multisectoral approach, which required the active engagement of all sectors and groups – including patients and survivors – and the importance of open and transparent collaboration. Ms. Rendler Garcia thanked all of the leaders and dignitaries present who have committed their support and made this initiative possible in Kumasi. Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Minister of Health of Ghana concluded the program by welcoming all present to the inaugural meeting of the Kumasi Executive Committee on behalf of the President of Ghana and Ministry of Health. He noted that the composition of the Committee was carefully selected to ensure a successful and collaborative initiative. The Honourable Minister highlighted the fact that C/Can 2025 was aligned with NPP’s new manifesto, which includes a strong commitment to healthcare and specifically, cancer, which will be implemented through data driven policy. He closed by recalling the experience of announcing Kumasi’s selection at the World Cancer Leaders Summit in Mexico City, when “Ghana was on top of the world,” and committing to reduce cancer deaths in Ghana by 25% by 2025. Closing remarks and a powerful “call to action” for the government were made by the Chair, Nana Baffour Owusu Amankwatia IV. He called upon all present to commit to this program and support C/Can 2025. 1