ECOWAS, ESSMGB Lead 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Drive in G/-Bissau — Urge Early Screening and Timely Health Access for Women.
By Raymond Enoch.
In commemoration of the 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the ECOWAS Representation Office in Guinea-Bissau and the ECOWAS Stabilization Support Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ESSMGB) jointly organized a series of awareness activities, including a route march and an engagement meeting at the Save Our Soul (SOS) Village School in Bissau on October 22, 2025.
The event, held under the theme of promoting early detection and access to healthcare for women, brought together representatives from key national institutions such as the Ministries of Health, Interior, Women Affairs and Social Development, and National Planning and Regional Integration. Students, medical professionals, and community stakeholders also participated actively in the sensitization drive.
In her address, the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Ambassador Ngozi Ukaeje, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and timely medical intervention in combating breast cancer. She urged women across the region to make regular screening and medical consultations a priority, stressing that “early detection remains the most effective way to save lives and reduce the burden of breast cancer among women.”
Similarly, the Force Commander of the ESSMGB, Brigadier General E.O. Ojabo, reiterated ECOWAS’s commitment to advancing public health and women’s welfare in member states. He encouraged participants to become advocates within their communities, noting that awareness and proactive health behavior are vital to reducing late-stage cancer cases.
Medical experts from ESSMGB delivered informative presentations on preventive measures, early warning signs, and treatment options available to women. They also highlighted the need for improved access to health facilities and continuous education to demystify misconceptions surrounding breast cancer.
The campaign underscored ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive health initiatives that empower women and support sustainable community well-being across West Africa.
