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Over 650,000 Ghanaians suffer severe mental disorder,depression

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Over 650,000 people living in Ghana are suffering from severe mental disorder, with over two million, others suffering from moderate to mild mental disorder.

This was exclusively revealed to The Spectator by a team of doctors and experts in mental health, at the ‘Depression on the Mental Health Ladder: HealthCare Neglect and the Economic Cost’ symposium organised by the Rotary Club of Accra South, in Accra last week.

She estimated that, 13 per cent of Ghana’s population suffer from mental disorder.

According to Dr Charlotte Kwakye-Nuako, a Clinical Psychologist, depression is a major risk factor associated with mental health disorder which was characterised by feelings of severe despondency and dejection.

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The Psychology expert indicated that it was a profoundly serious mental problem which could lead to suicide in most serious forms.

According to her, the number of people in Ghana projected to receive treatment for depression within the cases identified was estimated to be about 13,202.

“It is projected that about 30 per cent of those who received treatment would remain on antidepressants for life,” she underscored.

She said mental health problems are a major contributor to the global disease burden which is associated with premature mortality and generates substantial costs to the economy.

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Mr Gerry Van Dyck, President of the Rotary Club of Accra South said it was important to pay attention and intensify awareness on the often overlooked aspect of mental health.

The President of the Rotary Club of Accra South lamented the infrastructural challenge associated with mental health care in Ghana.

He bemoaned that, there are only three mental hospitals in Ghana, two of which are in Accra and its environs, and the other located in the Central Region of Ghana.

“It is with this in mind, that the Rotary Club of Accra South with support from other partners has decided to construct a Psychological Health Resource Centre,” he reiterated.

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He indicate that, when completed, the first phase would serve as a 24-hour contact point for psychologically distressed person, not only in Accra but all over the country by improving responses in emergency cases.

Adding that, the centre would also create an accessible point for referrals to treatment and other help centres.

The President further appealed to organisations to help execute the project.

By Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah

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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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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.

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“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.

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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

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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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.

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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.

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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

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