The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has cautioned women against relying on unqualified persons for breast examinations, urging them to seek professional medical advice and screening from qualified healthcare practitioners to promote early detection of breast cancer.

According to him women need to be conscious of their breast health and seek medical attention whenever they notice unusual changes stressing the importance of regular breast checks

The Mayor made the call when he addressed staff during the Accra Metropolitan Assembly's (AMA) Breast Cancer Awareness Month wrap-up programme held at the Omanye Aba Hall on Friday, November 6, 2026.

The programme, organised by the AMA Metro Health Directorate in collaboration with management, brought together Assembly staff for health education, breast cancer screening, and other activities aimed at promoting awareness and preventive healthcare.

The event featured free breast cancer screening, a departmental runway competition, a photoshoot, a symposium and free makeup services provided by Glam_In_Lash.

He encouraged women to remain vigilant about changes in their breasts and seek professional medical assistance whenever they observed anything unusual, stressing that awareness creation needed to be accompanied by practical steps towards protecting their health.

The Mayor urged staff to take advantage of the screening services provided during the programme, expressing the hope that the initiative would become a regular annual activity to encourage more women to prioritise their breast health.

Hon. Allotey commended staff for participating in the programme and was hopeful that the initiative would contribute to strengthening awareness as well as promoting a culture of preventive healthcare within the Assembly.

The Metro Health Director, Dr Louisa Martey, said the Directorate had introduced an interdepartmental runway competition as an innovative way of making the awareness programme engaging and memorable.

Dr Martey said the programme formed part of the Assembly's efforts to promote breast cancer awareness, encourage early detection and strengthen preventive healthcare among its workforce.

She urged participants to actively engage in the activities, noting that the programme provided an opportunity to combine health education with recreation and staff interaction.

The Coordinating Director of the AMA, Mr Douglas N.K. Annoful, said the level of participation demonstrated the commitment of staff to the initiative, adding that employees needed to occasionally pause from their demanding work schedules to pay attention to their personal health and wellbeing.