News
Point of View When a Counsellor needs counseling: The case of ‘Counsellor’ Lutterodt
The controversial counsellor, Rev. Cyril George Carstensen Lutterodt, popularly called Counsellor Lutterodt has gained prominence in the media landscape for his punchy, sharp and different approach to counselling people.
Though this has shot him to fame, in most cases, he is hauled over the coals for his seemingly blunt and somewhat insensitive approach to counsel on radio and television.
There had been many instances where the general public had called for his withdrawal from the media to cease his engagement with the public, but to no avail.
At some point, the Ghana Psychological Council in a letter seeking to ban Rev. George Lutterodt from counselling on radio and television strongly stated that:
“A person who does not have the requisite qualification and who is not registered with the Council but willfully and falsely uses any name, title or in addition implying a qualification of practice as psychologist or counsellor and practices or profess to practice psychology of which include counselling or receives payment to provide psychological services commits an offence and is punishable by law”.
He however, he fired back saying he was not a psychologist but a pastoral counsellor, therefore, the council could not ban him from discharging his duties, adding that he graduated and was ordained as a pastoral counsellor in 2005 and has since practised his trade in that manner.
This banter went under the bridge peacefully, as Rev. George Lutterodt went about his controversial path on radio and television.
But what broke the camel’s back, this time round, was a submission he made on Adom TV to the effect that”every rape victim enjoys the act. Anytime the act begins, you’re not ready for it but during the act, you consent to it,” a comment that has seen him being reprimanded by many Ghanaians and institutions.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Cynthia Mamle Morrison has described the comment as “insane”.
“Has he raped somebody before? Does he know how rape victims feel about being raped… it is sad that the interview went on. What was the programme about? How can somebody behave like that? This is so insane. This is just not right,” she stated.
Following the incessant pressure, ‘Counsellor’ Lutterodt has apologised for his goof, for discussing such a sensitive matter as rape comically and downplaying a criminal offence.
Some may say that, it is his style, but as a pastoral counsellor as he claims, he should know that every issue cannot be approached with the same method and get a positive result; there must be variations.
Due to the trauma victim’s face, he should be tactful and show some empathy when dealing with very sensitive topics on radio and TV.
The trauma of being raped or sexually assaulted can be shattering, leaving one feeling scared, ashamed, and lonely or plagued by nightmares, flashbacks, and other unpleasant memories.
The world doesn’t feel like a safe place any longer as some victims do not trust anyone. This is a traumatic experience, which should not be used as a joking matter by counsellor or anybody.
Rev.Lutterodt should not be obsessed with the media trends and the social media relevance those controversial comments bring him.
He should respect his office as a Man of God and be measured in his utterances, as well as take lessons on public speaking.
Now that he has apologised, it is my hope that Rev. Lutterodt will meditate on this situation and be empathetic towards people as well as the respect sensibilities of others by changing his approach towards sensitive issues.
A word to the wise….
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Ghana Tourism Development Company Limited (GTD) in collaboration with the Department of Organisation and Human Resource Management, University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) has marked the 2026 World Safety Day Celebration in Accra.
The event held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the Cedi Conference Centre, Legon was under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environment: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations.”
The day is observed globally to promote safe and healthy working conditions and to raise awareness about both physical and psychological risks at the workplace.
The event formed part of efforts by stakeholders to deepen national conversations on workplace safety, particularly the growing concern about psychosocial well being.
In his keynote address, the Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Abdul Rashid Hassan Pelpuo stressed that workers must not be treated as machines but as human beings with dignity, rights and families.
He explained that unsafe work environments marked by fear, harassment, intimidation and excessive pressure reduce productivity and weaken organisations.
He noted that although physical hazards such as faulty equipment and unsafe buildings remain a concern, psychological risks including excessive workload, bullying, job insecurity and toxic communication are equally dangerous and must be addressed.
According to him, psychological hazards are real, measurable and preventable, and should be treated with the same urgency as physical risks.
He maintained that safe and healthy working conditions are not a luxury but a fundamental right that supports productivity and social justice.
Dr Pelpuo further stated that the government remains committed to strengthening occupational safety and health systems, adding that worker wellbeing is a core responsibility of leadership and not a public relations issue.
He urged employers to create environments where dignity is protected, and workers are empowered to speak without fear.
The Dean of University of Ghana Business School, Prof Ernest Y Tweneboah Koduah noted that the school is committed to shaping a better world of work that is equitable, productive and sustainable.
He announced that the school has secured accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to introduce a programme in organisational health and safety.
He explained that gaps in workplace safety in Ghana are linked to weak enforcement, underreporting and limited professional training.
He added that the new programme will equip graduates with the skills to prioritise employee wellbeing as a key organisational responsibility.
Prof Tweneboah Koduah urged organisations to assess psychosocial risks, invest in human resource capacity and create environments where workers can openly discuss mental health concerns.
He emphasised that collaboration between academia and industry is essential to addressing workplace safety challenges.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar of the University of Ghana, Emelia Naa Kwantsua Agyei Mensah described the event as historic, noting that it is the first time the university is marking the global observance.
She explained that the focus on psychosocial wellbeing reflects current realities in the world of work.
She stated that employee health, including mental and emotional wellbeing, directly affects productivity, morale and institutional performance.
Mrs Agyei Mensah added that the university is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for staff and students, beyond minimum legal requirements.
She called on leaders to reflect on the kind of workplaces they create and to prioritise the wellbeing of employees.
CEO of the GTDC, Prof Kobby on his part noted that its participation aligns with its commitment under the Riyadh Declaration, which calls on member states to improve infrastructure and public safety, as well as enhance services, transport, connectivity and accessibility.
He indicated that the company intends to use the platform to highlight Ghana’s readiness to implement the declaration, with a strong focus on worker safety and wellbeing as a foundation for sustainable tourism development.
The event brought together policymakers, academics, industry players and students to discuss strategies for improving workplace safety and promoting healthier work environments across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Minister for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, has praised engineers and technical teams working to restore electricity after a fire at the Akosombo Substation disrupted power supply.
He said this after visiting the facility on Monday night to assess ongoing repair works following the incident, which affected the control room and caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts of power to the national grid.
During the visit, he interacted with engineers and technicians who have been working continuously under difficult conditions to restore operations.
He said he was impressed by their dedication, courage, and professionalism despite the challenges.
The minister commended the teams for their resilience and sacrifice, noting that their efforts reflect a strong sense of duty and commitment to national service.
He assured them of the government’s full support as they continue with the restoration work.
He also assured the public that authorities are doing everything possible to restore stable electricity supply as soon as possible.
By: Jacob Aggrey
