Hlefi men benefit from prostate cancer awareness

Men at Hlefi in the Volta Region have been taken through prostate cancer awareness to help them understand the risks, early symptoms and the importance of regular screening in preventing the disease.

The initiative, spearheaded by philanthropist and artiste manager Elorm Beenie, sought to tackle one of the leading silent killers of men—prostate cancer—through education, screening and advocacy.

Marking his birthday, Mr Beenie launched the awareness campaign with a free screening and educational exercise at Hlefi, a community in the Ho West District of the Volta Region.

The event, which drew hundreds of men, aimed to bridge the knowledge gap on prostate cancer and encourage early detection to reduce preventable deaths.

Ignorance, late diagnosis

Explaining his motivation for the project, Mr Beenie emphasised the alarming rate at which men were dying from prostate cancer due to ignorance, late diagnosis and lack of access to treatment.

“The statistics on prostate cancer deaths are worrying.

Many men suffer in silence and by the time they seek medical attention, it is often too late. This campaign is about breaking that cycle.

With more resources, I intend to extend this project across the country so more men can benefit,” he stated.

Mental health

Beyond health awareness, the initiative also addressed mental health concerns among men.

Mr Beenie highlighted the need for men to openly discuss their struggles rather than suffer in silence, a factor he believed contributed to high suicide rates among men.

“Most suicide cases, according to statistics, involve men.

We need to change the narrative by creating spaces where men can talk about their challenges without fear of being judged.

This campaign will incorporate counselling and professional guidance to help men navigate societal pressures,” he added.

Bridget Letsa, a registered nurse and the lead of the medical team, underscored the dangers of ignoring prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among men.

Unfortunately, many only seek medical help when it is at an advanced stage and expensive to treat,” she explained.

Screened

She encouraged men above 40, especially those with a family history of the disease, to get screened annually.

She also highlighted the financial burden of late-stage treatments, which cost between GH₵2,500 and GH₵12,000 monthly, and the fear some men have about surgical procedures.

“Many men reject surgery due to the fear of losing their sexuality, opting for medication instead.

But the earlier the cancer is detected, the less invasive the treatment,” she said.

The initiative received massive support from the Hlefi community.

Edwin Addae, a member of the Hlefi Development Association, expressed gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries.

“This is groundbreaking. Health interventions usually focus on women, so to see a project dedicated to men’s health is inspiring.

We are grateful to Elorm Beenie and his team for prioritising our well-being,” he said.

Contribution

He also encouraged Hlefi natives living outside the community to contribute to such developmental initiatives.

All beneficiaries who showed symptoms of prostate cancer were given initial medication and advised to seek further medical attention.

They also received free massage sessions.