Ghana is set to establish its first national prostate cancer registry at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), in a move health experts say will strengthen the country’s response to one of its most pressing men’s health challenges.
Globally, one in eight men is expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. In Ghana, doctors estimate more than 3,000 new cases are detected each year, with over half of patients presenting only after the disease has reached an advanced stage.
The initiative was announced in Accra at the launch of the 2025 Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The registry will be developed in partnership with UGMC, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and the Ghana Association of Urological Surgeons (GAUS).
UGMC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abdul-Samed Tanko, said the project would help clinicians and policymakers track cases nationwide, improve treatment outcomes, and enhance prevention strategies.
“Proactive checks save lives, and the earlier we act, the better the outcomes,” he said.
Head of UGMC’s Urology Department, Dr. Mary Monney-Bortey, pointed to stigma and fear as major barriers to early detection.
“Too many men come to us late, when the disease has already advanced. We want to encourage every man above 40 years to get screened at least once a year. Early detection gives the best chance of survival,” she advised.
Once operational, the registry will provide Ghana with its first nationwide database on prostate cancer, offering vital information to guide cancer policy and potentially save thousands of lives in the years ahead.
