The event, a collaboration be­tween the Office of the First Lady and the Ghana AIDS Commission, provided essential health services to various community members, including hairdressers, tailors, head-porters (kayayee), and market women.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs Mahama underscored the purpose of the outreach, saying, “We are here for a very important reason. For the health of our people, es­pecially young people, women, and vulnerable groups in our communi­ties,” adding that, “We aim to raise awareness, offer free check-ups, provide medical advice and coun­selling, and help more people take care of their health.”

The First Lady also noted that many people might be living with serious health conditions without realising it, making such screening exercises essential.

“Sometimes, people are living with these conditions and do not even know it. That is why today’s health screening is very import­ant,” she explained. “It provides an opportunity to get tested free of charge, know about their health, and take the necessary steps to maintain their health,” she elabo­rated.

She stressed the life-saving potential of early detection, saying, “Early testing saves lives. Knowing your health status early enables you to start treatment early and prevent serious complications. Testing early can also help us to protect our loved ones.”

“For example, when people living with HIV get to know their status early, they can receive the right care and support, which will make them live long and healthy lives. But this can only happen if you get tested,” she underlined.

The free health services provid­ed at the event included HIV and syphilis screening, BMI and nutri­tion counselling, blood pressure checks and assessments for other medical conditions, and breast cancer screening.

Beneficiaries received awareness training on HIV/AIDS preven­tive measures and the importance of early antenatal care to prevent mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.

Directing her message towards the younger generation present, the First Lady called for greater health consciousness, emphasising that, “I want to address the young people here directly. You are the future of this country. Your energy, your dreams and your well-being matter.”

Furthermore, she outlined that, “However, many young people to­day are falling ill, sometimes due to a lack of access to the right infor­mation, services, or support they need. That must change. And it starts with talking openly to people who can help you, and by having a medical check at least once a year.”

She then encouraged attend­ees to take full advantage of the services offered free of charge, saying that, “Today, you can check your HIV status, your blood pres­sure and sugar levels, and even be screened for breast cancer, right here at this event, all for free… I therefore encourage you all to take advantage of these services. Feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. We are here for you.”

Moreover, Mrs Mahama also highlighted broader government efforts aimed at improving access to and outcomes in healthcare. She mentioned the recently launched Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares.

“When this fund is fully opera­tionalise, it will bring relief to many people suffering from non-com­municable diseases,” she noted, adding that it will help diagnose and treat conditions like heart ill­nesses, kidney disease, and various cancers.

She also referenced the up­coming Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which she said will “enhance awareness of the health status of our citizens and contrib­ute to disease prevention.”