Bold headline: A life-saving bone marrow centre in Ghana could transform leukemia care at a cost of $11 million — and the clock is ticking.
The vice president of the Leukaemia Foundation Project, Peter Osei-Tutu, shared that plans to build a Bone Marrow Transplant Centre in Ghana would require roughly $11 million, including equipment. Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show on Monday, December 15, during discussions about the documentary “Leukaemia: Last Chance Abroad,” he explained that the project aims to fill critical gaps in leukemia treatment and reduce the need for patients to seek care outside the country.
“The entire project, with the equipment for the centre, would cost about $11 million, which translates to roughly GH₵177 million,” he stated.
The Foundation hopes to break ground and begin construction early next year, with the team targeting a February groundbreaking.
However, fundraising remains a major hurdle, especially if they want to meet a tight two-year completion window. “It’s essential that we raise enough money to finish within the two-year period we’re aiming for,” he noted.
Osei-Tutu highlighted that the JoyNews documentary revealed significant limitations in Ghana’s leukemia treatment options. He said, as the documentary showed, many aspects of care cannot be fully delivered in the country, which prompted the decision to establish a specialized treatment centre.
“That’s why we believed it prudent to set up this genetic centre, so that some procedures not performed in Ghana could be done here.”
The proposed centre would dramatically lessen the burden on families who currently must travel abroad for treatment. “Families like the woman featured in the documentary would no longer be stranded overseas and would be able to stay close to loved ones for support,” he added.
While acknowledging that some treatments are available locally, he stressed that several critical procedures remain out of reach. “There are many aspects that become critical transitions. We can suppress the disease in many ways, but not every essential amenity exists here,” he explained.
The goal is to conduct bone marrow transplants and other essential cell transplant procedures in Ghana, rather than requiring families to seek care abroad.
Fundraising, however, has proven challenging, despite backing from some corporate partners. “Raising funds for these initiatives in Ghana is very tough,” he admitted, naming institutions like Stanbic and Ecobank as supporters.
Osei-Tutu appealed to businesses and individuals to contribute, emphasizing that leukemia can affect anyone. “Corporate bodies and individuals alike need to help us raise enough funds to complete this project,” he urged, inviting participation of all sizes.
Even a small donation matters. “Even if you contribute one cedi, you’ve helped save a life,” he said, reminding supporters that their contributions become part of a collective achievement.
Calling leukemia a critical disease, he underscored the urgency of finishing the centre quickly. “Raising enough money to complete this as soon as possible is vital because leukemia is serious and people need help now,” he asserted.
Osei-Tutu also shared a personal motivation: his elder brother died of leukemia, giving him a firsthand understanding of why pushing this project forward matters and how many lives could be saved.
He noted a shift in public awareness about cancer in Ghana, from a relatively quiet topic to one people are starting to recognize as a serious health challenge. Cancer is increasingly seen as a threat that demands action and resources.
JoyNews has been praised by Osei-Tutu for shining a national spotlight on leukemia and the gaps in local care. He credited the coverage with helping people grasp the disease’s impact and the need for a facility that can alleviate patients’ burdens.
Read also: Joy Cancer Awareness Month: Expert warns parents on early signs and treatment of childhood leukemia.
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