SPEECH BY H.E. MARGARET KENYATTA DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE 9TH STOP CERVICAL, BREAST AND PROSTATE CANCER ION AFRICA CONFERENCE AT KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTER ON 20TH JULY, 2015H.E.Uhuru Kenyatta,thePresident of the Republic of Kenya,Fellow First Ladies,Ladies and Gentlemen,Good morning.I am delightedto join you this morning during theofficialopening ofthe 9thStop Cervical, Breastand Prostate Cancer in Africa conference.Let me first express my gratitudetomyfellow First Ladies,for the honouryou have bestowed upon me;electing measthe new Chairperson of the Forum of African First Ladies and SpousesagainstCervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer.I look forward to working with all of you,for the next one year,toachieveour goals in fighting these cancers across Africa.This conference gives us the opportunity to pause and look back at what we haveachieved inthe last 9 years, in order for us to chart the way forward.So far,we have succeededin raising awareness about cervical, breast and prostatecancersamong our African population.Now, we mustbuild on this success by increasing our efforts in expanding access toearly screening,prevention, treatment and palliative care servicesfor those affectedacross our continent.This conference willhelpus maintain a steady progress towards this goal.Indeed, looking through the conference agenda,you will be tacklingrelevant topics such as screening, counsellingand training of health workers.Additionally,we have lined up speakers who will give expertviewson advocacy, prevention, policy and treatment.This conference gives usagreat opportunity to learn and network withfellow delegates andhelp usrealise thetheme, InvestingtoSave Lives: The Role of Public-Private Sector Partnerships.I urge all of us to keepthis theme alive, aswehave a role to play in fighting cervical, breast and prostate cancer.We must lobbyour leaders, governments, private sector and non-government organisationsto take the necessary actionso that we can help our peoplelive healthy and productivelives.There is also need for us to find ways in which our people will adopt healthy lifestyles throughphysicalexercise and proper dietas a way of combating this menace.We need Africa to go back to her rootsand start eating more traditional foodstuffs. We need tostop consumption of highly processed foodsespecially among the youth.We all know that local problems require local solutions which is why we are gathered hereto bring together our collective ideas in a quest to stop the rampant death of our people to thescourgeof cancer.Once again, as chairperson of this forum, I look forward to working with you all.I want toassure you of my commitment and support to fight cervical, breast and prostate cancer across Africa.I wish you fruitful deliberations and asuccessful conference.Thank you.