Ghana’s first lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has cut the sod for the construction of a 52-bed hostel facility to provide affordable accommodation for child cancer patients and their guardians at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

Mrs Akufo-Addo commended the initiators of the facility, the Ghana Parents Association for Childhood Cancers, the project which she said will bring relief to guardians by reducing cost.

She said it will also save the trouble of having to travel all the time from afar to attend sessions at the Hospital.

The first lady said 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.

Beyond providing a “home away from home” hostel for the children and their guardians, she said there should be an initiative that provide for the educational needs and a balanced diet for the children and their families, especially for those who would stay for a long period.

Mrs Akufo-Addo assured them of her “commitment to the realization 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 at the commemoration of the International Childhood Cancer Day at Korle-Bu, the Ag Chief Executive Officer of Korle-Bu, Dr Samuel Asiamah conferred on the first lady, the role of Cancer Childhood Ambassador. Mrs Akufo-Addo accepted the challenge and entreated everyone to support her to be successful at her new role.