A day’s sensitization programme on the key provisions of the Mental Health Law (Act 846) for about 180, facilitators and media men has been held in Sunyani.

Organized by MIHOSO International, a nongovernmental organization in partnership with Basic Needs Ghana with funding from the UKAID, the programme had the objective of creating high levels of awareness of mental health. 

In a welcome address the Chief Executive Officer of MIHOSO International Mr. Gabriel Benarku expressed his gratitude to all participants for their commitment to the cause of mental health.

He said his outfit is not only into mental health but also other social and economic spheres all aimed at helping humanity.

Mr. Benarku added that although the task of supporting mental health care delivery appeared daunting at the onset he is convinced that with the support of all stakeholders the objective of making mental health care accessible to all will be achieved.

The Executive Director of Basic Needs Ghana Mr. Peter Yaro made a presentation on the involvement of civil society organizations in the passage of the mental health law whiles another on the progress of mental health in the Brong Ahafo region was made by Mr. Joseph Yeri a psychiatric nurse at the regional hospital in Sunyani.

Dr. Akwasi Osei, Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority and Chief Psychiatrist at the psychiatric hospital in Accra made a 3 part presentation on the key provisions of the mental health law.

He gave a brief background to the passage of the law, what the law entails and the role of the health worker in the implementation of the law.

Although Dr. Osei rated Ghana’s mental health care delivery above most African countries he nonetheless described it as poor and called for a dedicated source of funding for mental health activities.

Dr. Akwasi Osei said on the average 1500 suicide cases are reported in Ghana each year adding that for one reported case 3 are unreported.

He hinted on a nationwide “operation clear the streets” exercise aimed at clearing the streets of mentally ill people due to start soon.

In his closing remarks Dr. Kofi Amo Kodie the deputy regional director in charge of clinical care who chaired the function, thanked MIHOSO and Basic Needs for the strides made in mental health delivery in the region.

He said 14% of diseases globally are attributed to neuro-psychiatric conditions hence the need to take the issue very seriously.

He hoped participants will make good use of the knowledge acquired to enhance mental health care delivery in their various districts.

DAnel Oduro-Stewart/Ghanadistricts.com