Author of “Dying Many Times” proposes coordinated national framework to transform cancer prevention, treatment and care in Ghana
Accra, Ghana — 13 August 2026
Author and cancer-control advocate Benjamin Akyena Brantuo, speaking on Joy Prime ( https://youtu.be/Ad7p2T0HzSQ?si=fsauMEnv-VFR_S2B ) on Thursday, 13 August 2026, has called for a fundamental change in Ghana’s approach to cancer management.
Drawing from themes explored in his book, Dying Many Times, Mr. Brantuo is proposing that Ghana move from what he describes as a fragmented approach to cancer care towards a coordinated, adequately funded and accountable national cancer-control system.
His proposal centres on five key measures:
- ESTABLISH A NATIONAL CANCER AUTHORITY
Mr. Brantuo is calling for the establishment of a dedicated National Cancer Authority to coordinate, regulate, monitor and evaluate cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care and survivorship across Ghana.
The proposed Authority would bring together relevant government institutions, healthcare professionals, researchers, civil society organisations, patients, development partners and other stakeholders.
The objective would be to ensure that cancer control is treated as a coordinated national responsibility rather than addressed through disconnected interventions.
- ESTABLISH A NATIONAL CANCER FUND
Mr. Brantuo is also proposing the establishment of a National Cancer Fund as a dedicated and sustainable financing mechanism for cancer control.
The proposed Fund could support:
Cancer prevention and public awareness;
Screening and early detection;
Diagnosis and treatment;
Essential cancer medicines;
Medical equipment and infrastructure;
Cancer research;
Cancer data and surveillance;
Palliative care; and
Patient and family support.
He proposes that existing cancer-related funding arrangements could, subject to appropriate policy and legislative review, be consolidated within such a Fund.
Mr. Brantuo further stresses that the Fund should operate under strong governance, accountability and transparent reporting mechanisms, with the proposed National Cancer Authority providing oversight and management.
- DEVELOP A NATIONAL CANCER STRATEGY
Under the proposed framework, the National Cancer Authority would develop and implement a comprehensive, long-term National Cancer Strategy.
The Strategy should cover the entire cancer-control continuum, including:
Prevention;
Early detection;
Diagnosis;
Treatment;
Palliative care;
Survivorship;
Research; and
Cancer data and surveillance.
- DEVELOP NATIONAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR CANCER MANAGEMENT
Mr. Brantuo is proposing the development of National Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cancer management across Ghana’s health system.
The SOPs should establish clear and standardised pathways for:
Referral;
Diagnosis;
Treatment;
Follow-up; and
Palliative care.
He argues that standardised national procedures could help reduce variations in the quality and timeliness of cancer care and provide clearer pathways for patients navigating the health system.
- INTRODUCE A FOUR-YEAR MULTI-YEAR CANCER ACTION PLAN
Mr. Brantuo proposes that the National Cancer Strategy be translated into a four-year, measurable action plan.
The plan should identify:
Clear national priorities;
Specific programmes and interventions;
Required budgets and financing;
Responsible institutions;
Implementation timelines; and
Measurable performance indicators.
At the end of every four-year period, the plan should be reviewed based on performance, lessons learned, emerging cancer trends and national needs, before a new implementation cycle is developed.
FROM INDIVIDUAL CASES TO A NATIONAL PRIORITY
The central message of Mr. Brantuo’s proposal is that Ghana needs to move beyond treating cancer primarily as individual cases and begin managing cancer as a national public-health priority.
“Ghana needs to move from treating cancer as individual cases to managing cancer as a national priority. We need one national authority, a dedicated cancer fund, a national strategy, standardised protocols and a measurable four-year action plan.”
According to Mr. Brantuo, these proposals constitute one of the central themes of his book, Dying Many Times, and are intended to stimulate national discussion on how Ghana can strengthen its response to cancer.
He is calling for greater coordination, sustainable financing, accountability, standardisation and long-term planning across the country’s cancer-control system.
ABOUT BENJAMIN AKYENA BRANTUO
Author of Dying Many Times…
Buy ‘Dying Many Times …’ here:
Or call/Whatsapp 0244825187
Read excerpts of the book ‘Dying Many Times…’ here
2.Read about Benjamin Akyena Brantuo here:
