In a bold step in promoting the fight against cancer in Ghana and across the continent, the Volta Region has once again taken a step towards health sector transformation as it hosts the launch of Africa’s first-ever Oncology Nurse Leadership Programme (ONLEP) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho.

The initiative was officially launched in a colourful ceremony attended by international partners, senior health professionals, and the leadership of UHAS.

The Regional Minister expressed immense pride that such a historic milestone is taking place in the Volta Region.

“This programme fits squarely into our national goals. It is a symbol of progress. It is a light of hope,” he said.

He further noted that the statistics around cancer in Ghana are alarming, with over 27,000 new cases reported in 2022 alone, and prostate cancer leading in the Volta Region. However, he stressed that initiatives like ONLEP provide a pathway to change the narrative through strategic investment and skills development.

The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, hailed the programme as a “symbol of progress and a light of hope” in the fight against cancer in Ghana and across the continent.

The ONLEP, which is the first of its kind on African soil, brings together 30 outstanding nurses from 7 countries, selected from a competitive pool of 142 applicants spanning 13 countries. The selected nurses will undergo a six-month intensive training set to conclude in December 2025 that combines clinical oncology with leadership, advocacy, and compassionate care competencies.

James Gunu highlighted ongoing government interventions to improve cancer care, referencing the 2025 Budget, which includes the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, expanded Free Primary Healthcare, and nearly GHS 10 billion mobilized via the NHIS levy to boost services across the health sector.

He pledged his unwavering support for the ONLEP initiative, committing to actively engage and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure its success and long-term sustainability.

"To the 30 nurses beginning this journey: you are leaders, you are healers, you are change makers. The Volta Region is proud to host you," he noted.

The ONLEP is being implemented in collaboration with UHAS, the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care (ISNCC), City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), AMGEN, and other development partners.