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Ghana Youth Mental Health Survey begins October 9
In Ghana, the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2020 estimated that about nine per cent of the population had some form of mental health issue, largely behavioural health-related especially among the youth.
Also, in 2022, a survey of Junior High School (JHS) students in the Greater Accra Region, (on suicide risk prevalence of JHS students in Greater Accra) revealed that one out of five students has experienced suicide ideation in the last 12 months.
There is therefore a critical need for comprehensive research on the mental health of Ghanaian adolescents to inform effective interventions and policies.
Consequently, starting October 9, the Ghana Youth Mental Health Survey (GYMHS), would be conducted across some regions of the country, to ascertain the mental health of Ghanaian adolescents and recommend solutions.
Led by US-based Ghanaian Assistant Professor at the University of Buffalo, New York, Dr Enoch Azasu, the study would be conducted in the Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Ashanti, Central and some Northern regions.
It will end on Friday, October 18 in the Ashanti Region.
According to Prof. Azasu, it was crucial to engage in this survey in order to support the mental well-being of the Ghanaian youth.
With support from the University of Buffalo School of Social Work, University of Ghana Department of Psychiatry, Youth Awake to Mental Health Ghana and Central University, the GYMHS, he explained, would be a nationally representative study designed to comprehensively understand the mental health status, risk factors, protective factors and the resource utilisation among JHS students in Ghana.
The survey, he added, would fall on the back of the 2022 study which found several socio-ecological and psychological correlations for suicide thoughts and behaviour which included suicide stigma, sexual intercourse, dating, hunger, substance use, stress, anxiety and depression.
He said, it was also essential to make the subject of mental health very common within society in order to nip the canker in the bud.
The survey he said, would highlight the gaps in mental health support systems and identify effective strategies for improving access to mental health resources in schools and communities.
He called on all stakeholders especially within the education sector to support the survey which would go a long way to safeguard the future of the Ghanaian youth.
“By supporting the GYMHS, schools can help gather valuable data that will provide a clearer understanding of mental health challenges faced by students. This survey will not only inform policy and intervention strategies but also ensure that the voices of young people are heard,” he stated.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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
