Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin(seated) with some Stanbic Bank and Wish4Life Foundation reps

Stanbic Bank Ghana in collaboration with WISH4LIFE Foundation LBG, a subsidiary of the renowned WISH4LIFE Foundation in the United States of America, have cut sod for the construction of an International Children’s Cancer Research Centre (ICCRC) in Kyebi in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

Upon completion, the state-of-the-art facility will not only bridge the healthcare gap in the treatment of paediatric cancer across Africa but also spur a transformative shift in paediatric cancer care on the continent. It will provide crucial access to medical expertise, medications, supplies, resources, and infrastructure, while fostering collaborations with paediatric cancer programs globally.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Kyebi, Dr. Tanya Maria Trippet, President of the Wish4Life Foundation and a Board-Certified Paediatric Haematologist Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, expressed the project’s overarching mission of ensuring equitable care for cancer patients worldwide. Dr. Trippet emphasized that, “The Wish4Life Foundation is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that every child facing cancer can access the same high-quality care, regardless of their location. That’s why the Foundation is actively constructing cutting-edge cancer centres across five continents, including Africa.”

Stanbic Bank and Wish4Life Foundation representatives

Farihan Alhassan, Head of Business and Commercial Banking at Stanbic Bank, addressing the media after the ground-breaking ceremony, underscored the project’s alignment with Stanbic Bank’s purpose of making a positive impact on society. Farihan noted that, “Stanbic Bank is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of the communities in which we operate. This partnership provides a strategic avenue for us to contribute to our society’s welfare. Not only will Stanbic Bank provide comprehensive banking solutions to the Cancer Centre, its staff, and the broader ecosystem, but we will also establish a platform for individuals and corporate entities to contribute toward paediatric cancer treatment.”

Upon its completion in 2026, the centre will be the first Children’s Cancer Centre of its kind in Africa. It will be fully equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, positioning it at par with renowned cancer centres in Europe and the United States. The total estimated cost of the project is USD $250,000,000.

WISH4LIFE Foundation LBG, a subsidiary of the WISH4LIFE Foundation in the United States, is deeply committed to eradicating healthcare disparities in the treatment of children with cancer in Africa. The foundation collaborates with global partners to provide essential medical expertise, medications, supplies, and infrastructure support, with a shared vision to establish the first Children’s Cancer Centre in Africa.