<p class="isSelectedEnd">“Out of pain, purpose was born.”</p>
<p>These were the powerful words of cancer survivor and Founder of the Dzidula Pink Foundation, Madam Fafa Gozo, capturing the personal journey that has inspired her to dedicate herself to supporting people living with cancer across Ghana.</p>
<p>Gozo’s journey of turning a personal cancer experience into a mission of advocacy and support has now earned her two major honours at the 2026 Triumph Women Awards.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">She received the Triumph She Hero of the Year and Triumph Woman Advocate of the Year awards at the third edition of the ceremony held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">Speaking shortly after receiving the awards in an interview with Human Rights Reporters, Madam Gozo described the recognition as a humbling and honourable moment.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">“I feel humbled, I feel honoured and I am very grateful,” she said.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">Fafa, who has more than 20 years of professional experience in aviation security, said her work with the Dzidula Pink Foundation was deeply rooted in her own experience with cancer.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">“This is very personal to me because it is a lived experience. I have been there and I know what it takes to fight cancer and win,” she said.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">She explained that the foundation was established to provide cancer advocacy, education, and financial support to patients, particularly those struggling to meet the cost of treatment.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">For Gozo, the experience of battling cancer became a turning point that transformed personal pain into a broader commitment to help others facing similar challenges.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">“Out of pain, purpose was born,” she said.</p>
<p>Fafa was among several women recognised for their contributions to social development, health, advocacy, philanthropy and community impact during the awards ceremony.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone wp-image-3426" src="https://humanrightsreporters.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_0025-1-300x232.jpg" alt="" width="834" height="645" /></p>
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<p>Other competitive award recipients included Roberta Maanaa Quaye, who was named Triumph Health Icon of the Year; Philomina Afi Antonio, honoured as Triumph Philanthropic Icon of the Year; Leticia Enyonam Sateklah, recognised as Triumph Mental Health Advocate of the Year; and Dr. Maame Efua Gyasiwaa Abraham, who received both the Triumph Change Maker of the Year and Triumph Social Impact Icon of the Year awards.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Taking the cancer advocacy campaign beyond Accra</strong></p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">Although the Dzidula Pink Foundation is based in Accra, Gozo said its activities extend beyond the capital, with plans to reach more communities across Ghana.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">She said October would be a particularly busy period for the foundation, with breast cancer awareness and educational engagements planned for schools in the Volta Region, including Keta Secondary School and Sogakope Secondary School.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">The foundation is also expected to undertake engagements in the Central Region, collaborate with hospitals on cancer screening, and organise a two-day breast cancer awareness programme at Wassa Akropong.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">Gozo said the foundation would mark its first anniversary on December 4, although its work began before its formal launch.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">She revealed that the organisation was already looking ahead to expanding its outreach, with the Volta Region currently a major focus and the Northern Region among areas it hopes to reach in the future.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Financial barriers to cancer treatment</strong></p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">Madam Gozo identified the financial burden of cancer treatment as one of the major challenges confronting patients, particularly women.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">She said many patients were willing to undergo treatment but were unable to do so because of financial difficulties.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">“A lot of women are willing to undergo treatment, but financial challenges are one big problem that is preventing them,” she said.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">She therefore appealed to individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support the foundation&#8217;s work.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">According to Gozo, contributions do not have to be large to make a difference.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">“You don&#8217;t need to break the bank. You could just tell yourself, at the end of every month, you want to give the foundation 100 Ghana cedis or 500 Ghana cedis. Believe me, whatever you are giving is the hope someone out there needs,” she said.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>Two awards, renewed determination</strong></p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">For Gozo, the two Triumph awards are not simply personal accolades but an indication that the foundation&#8217;s work is being noticed.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">She said the recognition had strengthened her determination to expand the foundation&#8217;s reach and support more people affected by cancer.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">“For someone to nominate me and for me to win those awards just confirms whatever I am doing out there is being seen. So, this will spur me on more and make me do more,” she said.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">She said the next phase of the foundation&#8217;s work would focus on taking cancer education, awareness, and support to more communities, particularly outside Accra.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd"><strong>About Dzidula Pink Foundation</strong></p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">The Dzidula Pink Foundation is dedicated to cancer education, awareness creation, and financial support for people living with cancer in Ghana.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">The foundation says “Dzidula,” which means “Conqueror” in Ewe, reflects its mission to give hope to people facing cancer and provide support to those fighting some of life&#8217;s most difficult battles.</p>
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<p class="isSelectedEnd">For Madam Gozo, her transition from cancer survivor to advocate demonstrates how a painful personal experience can become a source of purpose and hope for others.</p>
<p class="isSelectedEnd">Her double recognition at the Triumph Women Awards has therefore added renewed visibility to a growing cancer advocacy mission that seeks to reach more communities and support more people across Ghana.</p>
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<p>By Joseph Kobla Wemakor</p>