Why Africa must unite in fight against cancer

Stethoscope and pink ribbon for breast cancer on white background. [File, Standard]

The ideology of Pan-Africanism has known many faces over its years of existence. At its inception by Henry Sylvester-Williams more than 100 years ago, it was centred on the political independence and unity of continental Africa.During the Cold War, Pan-Africanism became closely aligned with the socialism of the Soviet Union, with discourse focused on anti-imperialism.

While this went hand in hand with the anti-colonialist struggle, the alignment was also deeply marked by the bi-polar international order of that time.Yet, the idea of pan-Africanism is stronger than any single geo-political order. It didn’t dissolve like the Soviet Union in 1992. Instead, it became clearer and more focused, dropping its socialist baggage and homing in on its true goal - a stronger Africa.

Nowadays, we can witness some important steps towards the realisation of the Pan-African dream. The African Union is moving from its historic mission of fostering peace on our continent to a more active role.

Plastic bags

It concentrates on crucial issues such as climate change and economic development. It is, for example, a testament to Pan-African progressiveness that 34 African countries have instituted a ban on plastic bags. Such steps, at once easy and crucial, show that the African continent is leading other continents when it comes to tackling climate change.

But Pan-Africanism is more than just a progress of political agendas. It is, at its core, a social movement. If the people of Africa don’t support and carry it, Pan-Africanism is meaningless. It is an idea more noble than a mere free trade union for the benefit of some manufacturers. It is the natural longing for freedom and unity of every African.

That’s why it is so important to see leaders of social society, and not only politicians, increase their cooperation all across the continent. A striking example was the recent meeting of the First Ladies who met on the sidelines of the summit of the African Union in Niamey, Niger.

Our youth

While President Kenyatta worked with the other heads of states and special envoys on such forward-looking policies as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the First Ladies, led by Margaret Kenyatta, had a resounding message for politicians and citizens across the continent. 

In the joint appeal published by the First Ladies, they warned us of the danger of cancer from various products, chiefly from cigarettes and alcohol.These Western vices are still cheaper here than anywhere else in the world, leading our youth astray and causing medical problems that strain our healthcare services. This money and resources could be used to take better care of children and the elderly.

A recent study by the WHO claims that 19 million people die of cancer each year, with 70 per cent living in the poorer countries of the world. This makes cancer a decidedly African problem. While there are some causes of cancer like genetic predisposition that we can’t control, some other external factors scientifically proven to be responsible for cancer are well in our reach to rein in.

There is no excuse why our government shouldn’t protect our fellow brothers and sisters from any danger, whatever its source. Nobody questions the need for a strong and efficient police force, nor the agencies that check on the food producers. We should see the First Ladies’ appeal in the same vein.

We need to undergo a shift in our outlook as a society. We should start caring for Africans and protect them from carcinogenic products like cigarettes. There are many ways to achieve this. First, people must be made aware of the detrimental effects to health and body.

A communications strategy spanning the whole continent is in order. The organisational structure, spanning member countries of the African Union, is in optimal shape for this kind of project. But the national governments also have a role.

As they are responsible for guiding their people towards a better future, they have to use their tools to get people off these substances that cause them harm.

In a courageous step, our government took the unpopular route of caring for the future generations by increasing taxes. The 2019 Kenyan budget boasts some measures, called by the media ‘Sin Tax’, that will decrease the number of citizens suffering from cancer, and the amount of families bereaving a loved one.

This is something other African nations should copy. And this is something we should be proud of, and encourage our government to continue down this route.

Mr Maore is Igembe North MP.