First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo has cut the sod for the construction of a 52-bed hostel facility initiated by the Ghana Parents Association for Childhood Cancers to provide affordable accommodation for child cancer patients and their guardians who attend Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for diagnoses and treatment.

At the ceremony on Wednesday February 15, Mrs Akufo-Addo congratulated the association for initiating such project and noted that the facility would bring relief to many guardians by reducing their travel hours and cost as well as its associated risks as many of the child cancer patients travel from afar to attend sessions at the Korle-Bu. She also indicated that the facility will be a safe haven for all unfortunate children who may be required to receive cancer treatment in the future at Korle-Bu.

She added that, beyond providing a "home away from home" hostel for the children and their guardians, there should be an initiative that also aims at providing for the educational needs and a balanced diet for the children and their families especially for those who would stay for a long period. She assured them of her "commitment to the realisation of the initiative to improve the health of our precious children" and encouraged all to join forces in contributing towards the successful completion of the hostel project.

Earlier, during the commemoration of the International Childhood Cancer Day at Korle-Bu, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu, Dr Samuel Asiamah, conferred on the First Lady, who was a guest of honour, the role of Cancer Ambassador. The First Lady accepted the challenge and entreated everyone to support her to be successful in her new role.

At the commemoration were the Director General Of Ghana Health Services, Dr Samuel Asiamah, acting CEO of Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, representatives from WHO, and Mrs Marian Opoku of the Ghana Parents Association for Childhood Cancers.