NAVBAR
Our Projects
ACTION CHILD CANCER AFRICA (ACCA)
POWARCE
REGIONAL LIBRARIES
ACTION CHILD CANCER AFRICA
Action Child Cancer Africa (ACCA) is committed to revolutionising childhood cancer care in West Africa. We envision a future where every child has the chance to beat cancer and live a fulfilling life. Our ambitious goals reflect our dedication to these young warriors and their families.
By 2027, ACCA aims to complete the Pediatric Oncology West Africa Centre of Excellence at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. This state-of-the-art facility will provide high-quality cancer care, specialised training, and groundbreaking research tailored to the unique needs of West African children.
Over the next five years, our goal is to increase the survival rate for children with cancer in Ghana and surrounding regions by at least 30%. This will be achieved through early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment options, and quality post-treatment care.
ACCA is also committed to empowering healthcare professionals. By 2029, we aim to train and certify over 500 healthcare workers, equipping them with specialised pediatric oncology skills and strengthening local healthcare systems.
Working with governments, NGOs, and international organisations, we will advocate for policy changes that prioritise pediatric cancer care and funding, making sustainable care a government-supported initiative.
By 2030, ACCA will establish satellite treatment programs across rural areas in Ghana, addressing disparities in access and ensuring high-quality care reaches underserved communities.
THE PAEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY WEST AFRICAN REGIONAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE (POWARCE)
Our Flagship Project
At the heart of Action Child Cancer Africa’s mission is POWARCE, a transformative initiative committed to improving survival rates for childhood cancer in middle and lower-income countries across West Africa. Through a comprehensive approach addressing critical factors, POWARCE ensures every child has access to the lifesaving care they deserve.
Our Key Initiatives:
1. Specialised Expertise
POWARCE will attract and employ highly skilled paediatric oncologists and healthcare professionals. By focusing exclusively on paediatric oncology, the centre will deliver:
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Accurate diagnoses.
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Tailored treatment plans.
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Improved patient outcomes.
This specialised expertise ensures children receive the focused care necessary for their unique needs.
2. Early Detection and Diagnosis
Public awareness campaigns will educate communities and healthcare providers in the Ashanti Region and northern Ghana about early signs of childhood cancer. Early detection initiatives will:
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Enable timely diagnoses.
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Provide treatment at earlier stages of the disease, leading to more favourable outcomes.
3. Accessible and Affordable Treatment
POWARCE will operate as a non-profit organisation in partnership with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Our commitment includes:
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Treating children regardless of their families’ financial ability.
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Securing funding through donations, grants, and partnerships during the first five years before fully transitioning operations to KATH.
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This model ensures no child is denied care due to financial constraints.
4. Collaborations and Partnerships
By partnering with international healthcare organisations and pharmaceutical companies, POWARCE will:
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Access essential drugs and advanced medical technologies.
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Leverage global expertise to enhance the quality of care.
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These collaborations will elevate the standard of care provided to young patients at the centre and beyond.
5. Research and Clinical Trials
POWARCE will lead research initiatives and clinical trials, focusing on:
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Innovative treatment approaches.
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Cutting-edge therapies for childhood cancer.
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These advancements will offer children access to treatments unavailable elsewhere, significantly increasing survival rates.
6. Training and Capacity Building
Training programs will equip local healthcare professionals with specialised skills in paediatric oncology. This effort will:
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Build capacity across Ghana and West Africa.
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Expand the reach and impact of high-quality care beyond POWARCE’s physical location.
7. Advocacy and Policy Influence
POWARCE will actively advocate for:
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National and regional policies prioritising childhood cancer care.
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Increased government funding for paediatric oncology.
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By influencing policymakers, the centre aims to ensure children with cancer receive the attention and resources they deserve.
8. Support and Rehabilitation Services
In addition to medical treatment, POWARCE will offer comprehensive support services, including:
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Rehabilitation programs for survivors.
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Holistic care to improve long-term quality of life.
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This approach ensures children not only survive cancer but thrive in their recovery journey.
Transforming Lives Across Africa
POWARCE represents hope, innovation, and unwavering commitment to addressing the challenges of childhood cancer. By combining expertise, advocacy, and care, we aim to create a future where every child in West Africa has a fighting chance against cancer.
Regional Libraries
We thank Book Aid International our partner for their sterling and generous support for this initiative and for expanding its reach in supporting vulnerable children suffering and battling cancer . This is a win win partnership which realises Book Aid International’s vision , “ where everyone has access to books that will enrich, improve and change their lives” and ACCA’s determination to touch the lives of vulnerable and sick children at every level of their journey.
We thank Ghana library services with the cataloguing of books and for the training and preparation of librarians who work in our libraries.
We are grateful to the National Services Department and Directorate for providing young students who have finished university to carry out their National Service in our libraries .
We also thank Heather Small OBE , Lord and Lady Boateng, David and Najat Adomakoh, for their financial support and the valuable time spent on making our library program possible.
Empowering Young Minds Through Education and Healing
At Action Child Cancer Africa (ACCA), we understand that childhood cancer affects more than just physical health—it disrupts education, emotional well-being, and the joy of childhood. To address these challenges, we launched our Regional Libraries Project, providing children undergoing treatment with access to educational resources, joyful escapism, and a safe space to learn and grow.
Our First Steps
In March 2023, with funds raised specifically for this initiative, we established our first library at the Children’s Oncology Unit of Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KATH). This library serves as:
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A sanctuary for learning and play.
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A resource for mental well-being.
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A source of hope during uncertain times.
Staffed by a dedicated librarian and a part-time teacher assigned by Korle Bu, the library ensures that every child has access to books and learning materials, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Expanding Our Vision
Our mission doesn’t stop at Korle Bu. We aim to establish similar libraries across Ghana and beyond, ensuring that no child undergoing treatment is left without the opportunity to learn and dream.
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Completed Projects: In Tamale general hospital and In Kumasi KATH teaching hospital our recently completed library is already making an impact.
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Upcoming Projects: Plans are underway to establish libraries in Cape Coast, Takoradi, and Ho by next year, expanding our reach and deepening our impact.
The books for our libraries are provided through a meaningful partnership with Book Aid International UK, ensuring high-quality and diverse educational materials for the children we serve.
The Benefits of Our Libraries
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A Safe Haven for Learning
Each library provides a welcoming and safe environment where children can explore, learn, and engage, despite their treatment challenges. -
Comfort, Joy, and Hope
The libraries offer a healthy escape from the difficult treatments and interventions, creating moments of happiness and hope during trying times. -
Education Continuity
For children who miss school due to their diagnosis, the libraries provide an opportunity to continue learning, ensuring they don’t fall behind academically. -
Emotional Bonding Through Books
Our libraries encourage children and their parents to explore the joy of books together, fostering emotional connections and enriching family moments during treatment.
A Brighter Future for Every Child
Through the Regional Libraries Project, ACCA is committed to ensuring that children battling cancer have access to not just treatment but also opportunities to dream, learn, and grow.
We are grateful to Book Aid International for their ongoing support and partnership in bringing this initiative to life. We must also thank Ghana Library Services for training librarians. Our thanks also go to Ghana Library Services for their invaluable role in training librarians to support this project.
