Alliance for Mental Health and Development Expresses Concerns Over Government’s Inaction on Mental Health Issues
In a recent meeting held in Tamale from April 24th to 25th, 2024, the Alliance for Mental Health and Development, a network of civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and concerned individuals, gathered to discuss critical issues affecting mental health in Ghana. Apexnewsgh reports The meeting highlighted concerns over recent actions and inactions by state actors that may negatively impact the mental health of vulnerable populations. The Alliance expressed alarm over the delay in implementing revised guidelines for the District Assembly Disability Common Fund, which aims to enhance the inclusion of people with mental health conditions. Furthermore, the Alliance criticized the delay in releasing funds to support persons with disabilities, citing the lack of action by established bodies such as the Mental Health Review Tribunal and Regional Visiting Committees due to limited financial resources. Despite welcoming the establishment of these bodies, the Alliance emphasized that the government’s inaction undermines the rights and protections guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Mental Health Law (Act 846). The meeting served as a call to action, urging the government to prioritize mental health issues and take concrete steps to address the concerns raised by the Alliance. Find the full communique below: The Alliance for Mental Health and Development (Alliance), a network of CSOs, NGOs,CBOs, and concerned individuals, convened its annual review and planning meeting in Tamale from 24th to 25th April 2024. During this meeting, we deliberated on issues concerning mental health, psychosocial disabilities, human rights, and the inclusion of people with mental health conditions in public health policies and services, which are critical to the mental health and wellbeing or poor and vulnerable people with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Service (MHPSS) needs. The Alliance expresses concern over recent actions and inactions by State actors that potentially have a negative impact on people’s mental health, and on poor and vulnerable people with mental health conditions. The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFS), and the government, under the aegis of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), revised the guidelines for the disbursement and management of the District Assembly Disability Common Fund (DACF) to enhance the inclusion of people with mental health conditions. While the Alliance looks forward to the implementation of the revised guidelines, the delay in the Minister for responsible for the MoGCSP formally signing off the document negatively impact the much-needed inclusion and benefit that people with mental health and psychosocial conditions should enjoy. Our Alliance is particularly alarmed by the delays in the release(s) of the Common Fund to the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in order that the 3% o the fund due persons with disability can be utilised to support their basic and felt needs. The Alliance equally uses the opportunity to welcome and commend Mental Health Authority, for that matter, government, for the establishment of Mental Health Review Tribunal and Regional Visiting Committees. The Alliance is however worried about the lack of action by these bodies so established, which is attributed to limited financial resourcing. This situation undermines the rights and protections guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Mental Health Law (Act 846). The Mental Health Review Tribunal and Regional Visiting Committees are essential for safeguarding the rights of people with mental health conditions and ensuring compliance with national and international policies and conventions. Treatment of mental illness is often costly in the long-term if not adequately addressed immediately. People with mental health conditions and their primary caregivers are generally poorer than the general population. With a 95% treatment gap, and the requirement that people with mental health conditions are to pay for essential treatment at the point of service delivery, is at best unrealistic, as a majority of them are below the poverty line, earning less than the daily minimum wage. The Alliance is worried that promises by state officials to include mental health services in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) benefit package is yet to materialise, excluding many from benefiting from necessary care. The Alliance has observed marginal improvement in the use of appropriate language when referring to people with mental health conditions. The use of derogatory language and stigmatising behaviours towards people with mental health conditions however persists, and such attitudes exacerbate the vulnerabilities, marginalisation and exclusion they face. Considering these concerns, the Alliance calls for immediate action and proposes the following measures: Approve DACF Disability Fund Disbursement and Management Guidelines: The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development to sign and launch the revised the DACF Disability Fund Disbursement and Management Guidelines. Additionally, ensure the prompt release of funds and transparent, unhindered access to the 3% fund allocated for persons with disabilities, providing essential financial and material support for people with mental health conditions. Resourcing the Mental Health Review Tribunal and Visiting Committees: Allocate adequate resources to the Mental Health Review Tribunal and Visiting Committees and expand their operations across all regions of Ghana, providing a mechanism for redress and protection against abuse for people with mental health conditions. Resource mental health facilities: Invest in district and community health facilities to provide comprehensive mental health care services. Inclusion of mental health services in NHIS: Implement assurance to include mental health treatment in the NHIS benefit package by World Mental Health Day 10th October 2024. This will ensure access to mental health services for all. Address derogatory language: The Government of Ghana, state and non-state print and electronic media should implement comprehensive measures to address stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities and mental health conditions. These measures should include public awareness campaigns to sensitise the public and promote of inclusive policies and practices. In the long term, the Alliance urges the government to make sustained investments in mental healthcare services and ensure that social safety nets like the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty program effectively target and cover the poorest of the poor and vulnerable people,
Witchcraft Accusation: Elderly Woman in Upper East Region Attacked by Family Relatives, Left Unconscious
An elderly woman, Ayoo Adakabla, in her 70s from the Zorkor Ayone community in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region, is currently unconscious and bedridden at the Bongo District Hospital after being brutally attacked by her own family relatives. Apexnewsgh reports According to her son, Atanga Adakabla, who spoke to Apexnewsgh, the incident occurred on Monday, April 29, 2024, between 9 and 10 am. Atanga’s stepbrother, Akurugu, called him to accuse their aged mother of bewitching him and attempting to kill him. Akurugu demanded that they be taken to the Gambaga witches camp for examination. Atanga refused to comply with the demand, insisting that he needed to inform his siblings and other important relatives before making any decisions. However, Akurugu refused to involve other family members and instead forcibly hired a car to take Atanga and his mother to Gambaga. Atanga resisted, and in the ensuing scuffle, his mother was severely beaten and wounded. Atanga and his brother rushed their mother to the Bongo District Hospital, where she remains unconscious and bedridden. The incident has left the family and community in shock, highlighting the ongoing issue of witchcraft accusations and violence against the elderly in the region. Meanwhile, Investigations by ApexnewsGh have uncovered that this is not the first time Akurugu has attempted to harm her. Two years ago, Akurugu forcefully took Madam Ayoo to Gambaga for consultation, claiming she was a witch. Fortunately, after examination, nothing was found against her. However, instead of returning home with her, Akurugu abandoned her in Gambaga. Madam Ayoo’s son, Atanga, revealed that he had to borrow money from friends in Accra to secure his mother’s release and return her to their village in Zorkor Community. This previous incident suggests a history of abuse and neglect by Akurugu, which has culminated in the recent violent attack on Madam Ayoo. A family relative of the elderly woman, Ayishetu Mutala, has spoken out against the witchcraft accusation and brutality meted out against Madam Ayoo Adakabla. Expressing deep dissatisfaction and concern, Ayishetu is calling on the media to intervene in the matter, acknowledging that the family alone cannot fight this battle. “How do you know someone is a witch if you are not one?” Ayishetu posed a thought-provoking question, highlighting the absurdity of such accusations. She further explained that these incidents often occur when family members realize that there is no one else to blame for their misfortunes. Ayishetu’s plea for media intervention is a desperate cry for help, as the family seeks justice and protection for their loved one. The media’s attention to this matter can help shed light on the ongoing issue of witchcraft accusations and mob violence, and hopefully, bring an end to this senseless suffering. The case highlights the ongoing issue of witchcraft accusations and violence against the elderly in the region, and calls for urgent attention and action from authorities to protect vulnerable individuals like Madam Ayoo. Witchcraft accusations and the subsequent lynching of elderly men and women have become an alarming trend in the northern regions of Ghana. In 2023, Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of ApexnewsGh, with the support of Minority Right Group International and MPEC, produced a documentary feature to raise awareness about this critical issue. The documentary brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, chiefs, fetish priests and priestesses, prophets, soothsayers, security experts, legal professionals, queen mothers, and most importantly, victims and families of those who have been lynched. The feature aimed to shed light on the root causes of witchcraft accusations and the devastating consequences of mob violence. Through this documentary, the voices of those affected by witchcraft accusations were amplified, and the urgent need for action to address this issue was highlighted. The partnership between Apexnewsgh.com, Minority Right Group International, and MPEC demonstrates a commitment to tackling this complex problem and promoting the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly the elderly, in Ghana’s northern regions. However, Akurugu and 3 suspects are currently in the custody of Bongo District Police as investigation into the matter continues. Source: Apexnewsgh.com Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 0256336062/0248250270.