Ghana is fast becoming the go-to centre for training healthcare professionals in paediatric oncology and childhood cancer care across Sub-Saharan Africa, thanks to a major investment in specialised medical education by the NGO World Child Cancer (WCC) and its global partners.
According to Mr. Emmanuel Ayire Adongo, Head of WCC in the region, the organisation has secured significant funding to scale up training programmes for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in the management of childhood cancers — a move that could transform the landscape of paediatric oncology in Africa.
“So far, we have trained over 20 doctors from Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and others,” Mr. Adongo told the Ghana News Agency at a workshop in Bolgatanga. “These programmes are fully funded and available to both Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians.”
The initiative, which is run in collaboration with the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, includes a fellowship in paediatric oncology and a post-fellowship in paediatric palliative care. A parallel effort with the Ghana College of Pharmacists has also resulted in the creation of Ghana’s first paediatric pharmacy programme, making the country the first in the region to formally train such specialists.
“Three pharmacists have completed training under our scholarship, and four more are currently in training,” Mr. Adongo revealed. “These are the first paediatric pharmacists in Ghana and across Sub-Saharan Africa.”
Nurses and Midwives Included in Specialised Training
Recognising the critical role nurses play in early diagnosis and treatment support, WCC has also partnered with the Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives to roll out both a one-year associate programme and a specialist fellowship in paediatric oncology nursing. So far, over 30 nurses from Ghana and the West African sub-region have benefitted.
“We are now extending this opportunity to professionals in Malawi and Cameroon,” Mr. Adongo added. “They will come to Ghana for training — because Ghana is now the hub for training these childhood cancer specialists.”
Support for Local Hospitals and Long-Term Vision
As part of its long-term commitment, WCC plans to support the Upper East Regional Hospital in establishing a fully functional Childhood Cancer Centre. Similar centres have already been set up at Korle-Bu, Komfo Anokye, and Tamale Teaching Hospitals. The support will include equipment donations, staff training, and assistance with establishing sustainable care systems.
Mr. Adongo underscored the importance of building multi-disciplinary healthcare teams capable of diagnosing and treating childhood cancers early. He stressed that the focus should not only be on doctors but also on building capacity among nurses and pharmacists, who are often sidelined in discussions about cancer care.
“If we don’t invest in competent nurses, we will fail,” he said. “The over-concentration on doctors must stop. Nurses are critical to this work.”
Global Partners and Funding Access
The training and scholarship programmes are being made possible through generous funding from organisations such as AMGEN Pharmaceuticals, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the UBS Optimus Foundation (UBS-OF).
Mr. Adongo urged governments across Africa — including Ghana’s — to commit funding toward training more healthcare professionals in paediatric oncology, noting that childhood cancers are treatable when detected early.
How to Apply for the Programmes
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be working in childhood cancer units and possess a basic understanding of paediatric care. For nurses, the fellowship requires specialist nurse status; doctors and pharmacists must also meet their respective professional college requirements.
“Interested professionals should visit the websites of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, the College of Pharmacists, or the College of Nurses and Midwives for more information,” Mr. Adongo advised.
