Focus on Sickle Cell Foundation launches genotype awareness campaign in Ghana

The Focus on Sickle Cell Foundation (FoSCel) has launched a campaign for Sickle Cell Awareness Month in September, urging Ghanaians to prioritize genotype testing as a routine part of health literacy.

Amos Andoh, founder of FoSCel, emphasized that young people should determine their genotype well before marriage or engagement to avoid preventable medical and emotional complications. The foundation noted that many individuals only discover genotype incompatibility after having children, often under significant social and emotional pressure.

Beyond medical concerns, the campaign highlights the social challenges faced by those living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), including recurrent pain, financial strain, and discrimination in schools and workplaces. FoSCel is calling on religious bodies, educational institutions, and employers to combat the stigma and misconceptions surrounding the condition to ensure dignity and inclusion for patients.