Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women. In 2018 more than two million new cases were reported worldwide. Of all regions worldwide, North America has the highest incidence of breast cancer, and, overall, new cases of the disease are diagnosed more frequently in countries in developed regions of the world, such as North America and Europe, than in countries in impoverished regions, such as certain areas of Asia and Africa. However, differences in breast cancer incidence and death rate between developed and developing regions are due primarily to differences in the organization and financial state of health care infrastructures. The global disparities in screening and treatment, as well as the persistently high incidence of the disease on a global scale, have led to a significant increase in international interest in breast cancer awareness campaigns since the late 1990s.

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, science forums, educational programs, and informational pamphlets and posters are used as means to disseminate information to the public. A number of special events are held as well, including National Mammogram Day in the United States, which focuses on the importance of screening and early detection of breast cancer. In addition, fund-raising activities, such as walks, runs, auctions, concerts, and other charity events, are held in countries around the world. The money collected by these events typically goes toward local, national, or international funding for breast cancer research. Scientific conferences and meetings of international cancer organizations also may be scheduled in conjunction with awareness campaigns.

The major international symbol of Breast Cancer Awareness Month is the colour pink. In the 1990s the pink ribbon stood as the primary emblem of support. However, the colour pink is used in a variety of ways, including on clothing, posters, and Internet Web sites, to demonstrate individual and collective awareness of breast cancer.

In 2000 Estée Lauder, Inc., a fragrance and cosmetics company, launched Global Illumination, a project in which major global landmarks are illuminated by pink light for one or more days in October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Illuminated landmarks have included the Sydney Opera House, Niagara Falls, the Brandenburg Gate, the Empire State Building, the Taipei 101 building, and the Tower of London.

The overt commercialization of Breast Cancer Awareness Month has been a source of criticism, as has its potentially misleading promotion of and messaging about mammography as the solution to breast cancer prevention. Critics claim that the month of October for women has become more about encouraging women to undergo mammography, ensuring that screening programs remain cost-effective for companies supplying mammography technologies, than having meaningful discussions about breast cancer causes, prevention, and treatment. Moreover, breast cancer awareness campaigns have been criticized for stereotyping and objectifying women and for outright feminization of breast cancer, with excessive marketing of pink products and little or no money from these products being donated to breast cancer research or related causes.

About this event

KALABASHI CONCERT is a packed event with choral music renditions and an African stage musical as the highlight. The first part will feature four choirs performing sacred, patriotic, and folksongs by Gme/Ghanaian composers. The musical, which is the highlight, will feature the sensational Harmonious Chorale. The third part will be the highlife time, where danceable choral tunes popular in the Ghanaian choral scene will be rendered by selected choirs featuring that night.

SONGS OF AKOTAM

Play and Music by: George Mensah Essilfie

This is a five-act stage musical with a traditional African setting. Akotam is a fictional Akan village. The imaginary village concept for the stage inspired the story and the compositions.

In the story, Kamuta, the wicket giant, captures Abokuma, the beautiful princess of Akotam. Will the secret to saving the princess from the terrors of Kamuta lie with the rich, the wise or the strong. In search of this secrete to rescue the princess, the spirit of camaraderie is reawakened among the inhabitants. Akotam, once described as “the village with a music soul” and now without its passion, gets revived once more.

Songs of Akotam is an original story by George Mensah Essilfie. The play comprises 12 songs, the majority of which are original compositions. Some are folk songs while others are founded on traditional motifs and tunes. The exotic harmonies used in the musical are enough to characterize the musical as a true African stage musical. Some melodies are pentatonic (5 notes), and some are tetratonic.