As part of the Ghanaian Genome project’s awareness creation on the genetic health & genetic health services, a free health screening has been held in Kumasi.
The screening which was conducted at the official residence of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the music Manhyia Palace, saw many patrons participating to get screened on some dieseases & medical advises given as well, while others got tested on some diseases in order to donate blood.
In attendence to speak with participants was the Founding director of the West African Genetic Medicine Centre, Prof. Solomon Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, who took time to eduacte families, patrons.
“It is the duty of GhGenome to decode mutations causing rare genetic diseases in the country so that parents and families can be spared the suspicious look as the basis of a disease.
Prof. Ofori-Acquah noted that every year, over four hundred children in Ghana were diagnosed with cancer and leukaemia due to genetics and a change in Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) that increases the risk of childhood cancers.
He stated that the lack of genetic testing in Ghana meant a death sentence for many children diagnosed with childhood cancers & other notable diseases in the country.
Prof. Fiifi Ofori-Acquah, who is also the president of the Sickle Cell Foundation Of Ghana called for knowledge on sickle cell diseases to be made a priority so people’s horizon on such is broadened & deepened. He indicated, “There is limited knowledge of sickle cell disease inheritance in Ghana. Inheritance of one copy of the sickle cell mutation and one copy of a thalassaemia mutation is much likely to cause sickle cell disease.”
The Founding director disclosed that GhGenome Project is particularly welcoming to traditional leaders because they were the custodians of the country’s heritage, and the Project considers the Ghanaian DNA as the most basic of all heritage.
Prof. Ofori-Acquah said the another group the Project targets is the youth since they are the ones that would benefit most from knowing their genetic status, especially as it pertains to reproductive health, and risks to diseases.
Thousands of Kumasi people trooped in to the forecourt of the Manhyia Palace to get tested, donate blood & participate in the thrills & spills associated with this exercise by the Ghanaian Genome Project on Wednesday, December 21, 2022
