ACCRA: The Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System (GhIPSS) has extended its annual breast cancer awareness initiative to include residents within the Ridge enclave of Accra. This expansion marks a significant step in the company's ongoing efforts to promote early detection and awareness of breast cancer, a disease that continues to pose a serious health risk globally. According to Ghana News Agency, the week-long event, which has been held annually since 2016, is aligned with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed worldwide every October. The initiative aims to increase attention and support for breast cancer awareness, early diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care. This year's program concluded with a breast cancer screening exercise for both men and women, reinforcing the importance of early detection. Statistics from the Ministry of Health reveal the global impact of breast cancer, with approximately 1.7 million new cases and 522,000 deaths annually, making it the most prevalent cancer among wo men. The incidence of breast cancer is notably rising in low- and middle-income countries, attributed to factors such as increased life expectancy, changing reproductive patterns, and lifestyle changes. GhIPSS's decision to broaden the reach of its awareness program underscores its dedication to staff wellbeing and social responsibility. Ebow Allen-Koufie, Head of HR and Administration at GhIPSS, emphasized the company's commitment to staff welfare, highlighting the recent commissioning of a gym at the company's premises as evidence of this commitment. By offering breast cancer screening to the local community, GhIPSS seeks to foster positive relationships and contribute to societal wellbeing. In addition to its health initiatives, GhIPSS, the national payment infrastructure provider, has been instrumental in modernizing Ghana's payment systems. Working in collaboration with banks, FinTechs, and other partners, GhIPSS has introduced several innovative products, including Cheque Codeline Clearing, Automated Clearing House (ACH), GhanaPay, GhQR, and Mobile Money Interoperability. These innovations have substantially transformed the country's payment landscape, reinforcing GhIPSS's role as a leader in the financial sector.