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Engage Now Africa launches skin cancer awareness campaign for persons with albinism

Engage Now Africa launches skin cancer awareness campaign for persons with albinism

Engage now Africa (ENA) a non-governmental organisation has shown concern for persons with albinism by organising a forum to sensitise and educate them on skin cancer.

The Skin Cancer Awareness Forum which took place at the Ghana Rehabilitation Center in Accra on Thursday was aimed at giving firsthand information to persons with albinism on the need to take good care of their skins to prevent any form of diseases.

Speaking to the media, Education Director of ENA, Francis Yaw Ansah, said ENA has started supporting and advocating for the rights of persons with albinism over the past four years in Ghana by teaching them to understand the conditions and care they deserve.

He said the campaign will also boost their confidence level in a bid to end discrimination against them and also provide medical care for them in order to prolong their life span.

He added that persons with albinism are human beings and are very brilliant, the reason ENA has embarked on a study to understand the challenges they face and they can be resolved.

Albinism awareness day

Mr Ansah said ENA is in partnership with Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism (GAPA), Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation (GFD) and other institutions to address issues pertaining to albinism.

He emphasised that the main challenge of persons with albinism is not the stigmatisation and discrimination they face but the sun rays which causes their skins to develop cancer.

To tackle this, the ENA has provided them with hats, sunscreen lotions and financial assistance to lessen the effects of the sun rays on their skins.

He encouraged benevolent individuals and organisations to assist ENA to provide a safe environment for persons with albinism.

Abdul Waheed Ishaq, President of GAPA said he was so excited with the support ENA has been giving to members of the association.

He promised to keep collaborating with ENA to further boost support for persons living with albinism.

Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah, President of GFD, who chaired the function said she was grateful that ENA is still partnering with them to ensure that persons living with albinism enjoy equal rights.

Cecilia Amankwah, Country Director of Engage Now Africa said in a speech that ENA is committed to three main activities: to heal, to rescue and to uplift individuals from poverty.

She said the Skin Cancer Awareness Campaign forms part of the healing process.


She indicated that everyone is at risk of the negative effect of the sun but persons living with albinism are more at risk due to the lack of Melanin in their system.

Dr Aryi Boi, a Dermatologist at the 37 Military Hospital took the participants through what skin cancer is, causes, symptoms, effects, treatment and prevention.

Original Story on: MyJoyOnline
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