Hot!
MFGh embarks on mental health education

- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231213-WA0055.jpg&description=MFGh embarks on mental health education ', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG-20231213-WA0055.jpg&description=MFGh embarks on mental health education ', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
A non-governmental Organisation (NGO) MindFreedom (MFGh) has embarked on an intensive public education on mental health and how to handle patients.
The educational forum, which was held at Akoefe-Gadza in the Ho Municipality, was attended by chiefs, teachers, parents, students and civil society groups.
Addressing the participants, the Executive Secretary of MFGh, Mr Dan Taylor said mental health should be regarded as a universal basic human rights, which needed to be given the maximum attention.
Mr Taylor said his outfit had started educating Ghanaians 19 years ago on mental health, and the importance of seeking early treatment at hospitals.
He announced that Open Society Africa (OSA) Organisation sponsored the outreach education programme, and commended it for the special interest shown in the promotion of mental health in the country.
According to him, lack of education on mental health over the years made some people believe that mental health was the work of the devil, and normally take patients to prayer centres and spiritualists for treatment.
Mr Taylor, therefore asked prayer camp leaders and spiritualists to refer mental health cases to health facilities and should stop chaining them, which worsen their conditions.
The Director of EmpoweringMinds Ghana, Mr Emmanuel Adadey said his Organisation was an NGO based in Ho and had partnered with MFGh to promote public education on mental health to reduce stigma and discrimination against mental health patients in the country.
Mr Adadey said it was important for Ghanaians to appreciate mental health as one of the diseases and avoid discrimination against patients, which most of the time worsens their conditions because the patients were more often isolated.
He, therefore, asked Ghanaians to show mental health patients love and care to facilitate the healing process.
The Chief of Akoefe-Gadza, Togbe Dikro IV commended the two organisations for Organising the programme, which gave the residents a better understanding of mental health.
FROM LAWRENCE MARKWEI , AKOEFE-GADZA
.
Hot!
Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Hot!
UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey




