Know Your Body, Protect Your Future — Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Programme

Programme overview

• Date: Friday, 23rd October 2026
• Venue: Enchi Presbyterian Church, Enchi, Western North Region, Ghana
• Time: 10:40 a.m. – 2:50 p.m.
• Target participants: 80 students
• Actual attendance: 100 students
• Other participants: 3 nurses and 9 teachers

Introduction

Girls Global Initiative (GGI), an organisation committed to promoting the empowerment, health, education and well-being of young girls, successfully organised a Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Programme on Friday, 23rd October 2026, at the Enchi Presbyterian Church in the Western North Region of Ghana. The programme was held under the theme “Know Your Body, Protect Your Future” and sought to educate young girls on breast health, promote awareness of breast cancer, encourage early detection and empower participants with the knowledge to take responsibility for their health and well-being. The initiative brought together 100 students from various schools within Enchi and its surrounding communities, nine teachers and three nurses. It provided an opportunity for young girls to interact with health professionals, ask questions and acquire practical knowledge about breast health.

Objectives

• Raise awareness among young girls about breast cancer and the importance of breast health.
• Educate participants on recognising unusual changes in their breasts and understanding the importance of early detection.
• Introduce young girls to breast self-awareness and encourage them to seek professional medical attention when necessary.
• Create an interactive platform for students to engage with qualified health professionals.
• Promote health education and preventive healthcare among girls in underserved communities.
• Encourage young girls to become more conscious of their bodies and take responsibility for their health.

Participation and mobilisation

GGI initially planned to host 80 students for the programme. However, through effective mobilisation and outreach efforts, the organisation successfully attracted 100 students, exceeding its initial target by 20 participants. The programme recorded the participation of:

• 100 students from various schools.

• 9 teachers accompanying and supporting the students.

• 3 nurses who facilitated the health education sessions.

• 5 members of the Girls Global Initiative executive and organising team.

Students were mobilised from schools across Enchi and its surrounding communities. Particular attention was given to ensuring that girls from neighbouring rural communities were not excluded due to transportation challenges. As part of the organisation's commitment to inclusive participation, transportation arrangements were made for students travelling from Takyikrom, a neighbouring community of Enchi. This intervention facilitated their movement to and from the programme venue and ensured that geographical and transportation limitations did not prevent them from benefiting from the initiative. The mobilisation process involved engaging schools, coordinating student participation and making the necessary logistical arrangements to bring the girls together at the Enchi Presbyterian Church.

Programme activities and delivery

The programme was initially scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. but eventually began at approximately 10:40 a.m. due to circumstances beyond the organisers' control. These included an unexpected power outage in Enchi, securing fuel for the generator and other logistical challenges. Despite these setbacks, the organising team successfully addressed the challenges and proceeded with the programme. Opening Prayer: The programme officially commenced with an opening prayer led by the Assistant Secretary, Mr. Osmani Benewa, committing the day's activities into God's hands. Introduction and Master of Ceremonies: The Outreach Officer, Miss Angela Amekuedi, served as the Master of Ceremonies (MC), guiding the proceedings and ensuring a smooth transition between the various activities. Introduction to Girls Global Initiative: The Organising Secretary, Miss Patience Siebe Asamoah, gave a brief description of Girls Global Initiative, highlighting the organisation's background, mission and commitment to empowering young girls, particularly in underserved and rural communities. Opening Address by the President: The President and Founder of GGI, Miss Philomena Ofori Larbi, delivered the opening address. She welcomed the students, teachers, invited nurses and other participants. In her address, she emphasised the importance of health education among young girls, the need to understand their bodies and the importance of prioritising personal health and well-being. She also highlighted the organisation's commitment to creating opportunities that educate, empower and support young girls to make informed decisions about their lives. Health Education Sessions: Three nurses were invited to facilitate the breast cancer awareness and health education sessions. The nurses educated participants on breast cancer, breast health, early detection and the importance of paying attention to unusual changes in their bodies. The sessions were highly interactive, creating an enabling environment for students to ask questions, seek clarification and share their concerns. The nine teachers present also actively participated in the discussions, making the engagement beneficial to both the students and accompanying educators. Question and Answer Session: Participants were given the opportunity to engage further with the nurses, ask questions and receive professional explanations on issues relating to breast health and early detection. Tea Break and Refreshments: As part of the programme arrangements, GGI made provisions for a tea break and refreshments for participants and invited guests. This provided an opportunity for students, teachers, health professionals and members of the organising team to refresh and interact. The programme officially ended at approximately 2:50 p.m., after over four hours of engagement and activities.

Organising team and contributors

• Miss Philomena Ofori Larbi – President and Founder. Delivered the opening address and provided leadership and overall coordination.
• Mr. Godwin Ntaah – Deputy Executive Director. Participated in the coordination and execution of the programme.
• Miss Angela Amekuedi – Outreach Officer. Served as the Master of Ceremonies and coordinated the programme proceedings.
• Miss Patience Siebe Asamoah – Organising Secretary. Delivered a brief introduction and description of Girls Global Initiative and supported organisational coordination.
• Mr. Osmani Benewa – Assistant Secretary. Led the opening prayer and supported administrative coordination.

Participating health professionals and teachers

The programme benefited from the participation of three nurses who facilitated the breast cancer awareness and health education sessions. Additionally, nine teachers from the participating schools were present to accompany, support and engage with the students throughout the programme. Their involvement contributed to the interactive nature of the sessions and strengthened the collaboration between the organisation, educational institutions and health professionals.

Outcomes and achievements

• Exceeded attendance target: GGI successfully brought together 100 students against its initial target of 80, representing a 25% increase in student participation.
• Community mobilisation: Students from different schools across Enchi and surrounding communities were brought together for the programme.
• Inclusive participation: Transportation support was provided for students from Takyikrom, ensuring that girls from neighbouring communities could participate.
• Professional health education: Three nurses provided professional education on breast cancer awareness, breast health and early detection.
• Teacher participation: Nine teachers were present and actively engaged in the programme.
• Interactive learning: Students had the opportunity to ask questions and interact directly with the nurses, making the programme informative and engaging.
• Community awareness: The programme provided an important platform for promoting conversations about breast health among young girls, teachers and the wider community.

Challenges

Although the programme was successfully executed, the organising team encountered a few logistical challenges. The major challenge was an unexpected power outage in Enchi, which affected preparations, particularly the printing and production of the event banner and other decorative arrangements. Additionally, securing fuel for the generator and attending to other logistical requirements contributed to the delay in commencing the programme. Consequently, the event, initially scheduled for 10:00 a.m., commenced at approximately 10:40 a.m. Despite these challenges, the organising team demonstrated commitment and resourcefulness in ensuring that the programme proceeded successfully without compromising its core objectives.

Recommendations

• Early logistical preparation and contingency planning to address unforeseen challenges such as power outages.
• Strengthening partnerships with schools, healthcare institutions and relevant stakeholders to expand the reach of future health education programmes.
• Increasing transportation support to accommodate more students from surrounding rural communities.
• Sustaining health education initiatives that empower young girls with practical knowledge about their bodies and overall well-being.
• Exploring opportunities for continuous engagement with health professionals to promote access to reliable health information.

Conclusion

The Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Programme was successfully implemented and achieved its primary objective of bringing young girls together to learn about breast health and the importance of early detection. The participation of 100 students, nine teachers and three nurses demonstrated the importance of community-based health education initiatives and the willingness of schools and students to engage in programmes that promote their well-being. The involvement of health professionals, the active participation of teachers and students, and the provision of transportation for girls from Takyikrom contributed significantly to the overall success of the initiative. Despite the logistical challenges encountered before the commencement of the programme, the dedication and teamwork of the organising team ensured its successful execution. Girls Global Initiative remains committed to creating opportunities that educate, empower and improve the lives of young girls, particularly those in underserved and rural communities.

Report preparation

• Prepared by: Miss Philomena Ofori Larbi
• Role: President and Founder
• Organisation: Girls Global Initiative
• Programme: Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Programme
• Theme: Know Your Body, Protect Your Future
• Date: 23rd October 2026