First lady meets with International Organisations

First Lady, Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama, on Monday met with Susan G. Komen International and the President and Vice President of Autism Speaks on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The meetings discussed issues bordering on Breast cancer and the fight against Autism respectively.

Mrs Mahama stated, during the meeting with Susan G. Komen International, that breast cancer can be cured if detected early. She bemoaned the lack of awareness amongst women about the dangers of the disease.

Susan G. Komen is one of the world’s largest breast cancer organisations founded is 1982 to offer support for research, screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support for many countries globally.

The Chief Executive Officer of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in New York, Linda Tantawi, pledged to work closely with Lordina Foundation, suggesting that the foundation adapts the Susan Komen’s breast cancer message to meet the Ghanaians situation.

The First Lady has received offers for the Lordina Foundation to collaborate with some international organisations to create awareness about breast cancer, most importantly to share ideas and best practices.

Lordina Foundation is campaigning to promoting screening, early detection and treatment of breast cancer, erase stigma and to comply with treatment arrangements amongst women.

Mrs Mahama, who recently in Maputo, called on African leaders to make the issue of Breast, cervical and prostate cancer a national priority, is hoping to draw the international community’s attention to the disease which is silently killing many women in Ghana and the world at large.

The President, Liz Feld, and Vice President, Andy Shih, of Autism Speaks also met with the First Lady in New York to find ways she can facilitate and support their up and coming conference in Ghana in April next year. They used the opportunity to invite Mrs Mahama to be the guest of honour and to open the conference. The technical adviser to the First Lady, Dr Angela El Adas, called for primary screening of women on site and a universal education to create awareness.