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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.
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.
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.
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
Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has announced that the government has accepted the recommendation to abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment as part of the constitutional review process.
He said the proposed amendment would affect Articles 3, 13, 19 and 72 of the 1992 Constitution, with offences that previously attracted the death penalty instead carrying life imprisonment.
Dr. Ayine made the announcement on July 30, 2026, at the Jubilee House in Accra during the Government Accountability Series while outlining the government’s position on the final recommendations of the Constitution Review Committee.
According to him, the government believes the death penalty is inconsistent with the constitutional right to life and Ghana’s international human rights obligations.
He explained that the recommendation forms part of broader proposals aimed at strengthening the protection of fundamental human rights under the Constitution.
Dr. Ayine said the government had also accepted the spirit of several recommendations to expand rights relating to women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons and the youth.
He added that a comprehensive Human Rights Act would be introduced to protect these rights and provide detailed enforcement mechanisms instead of amending the entrenched provisions of the Constitution through a national referendum.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has called on both local and international investors to tap into opportunities in Ghana’s tourism, hospitality and creative industries.
Speaking in an interview yesterday with World Media USA Today, the Minister said government is committed to creating a conducive investment environment to support growth in the sector.
She highlighted key investment areas including hotels, fashion, music, film production, and tourism infrastructure.
Dzifa Gomashie also encouraged Ghanaians to invest in domestic tourism to help boost the local economy.
According to her, strategic investment in tourism and the creative economy will drive economic transformation, create jobs, and position Ghana as Africa’s gateway for heritage, culture, business and investment.
“Ghana has vast opportunities across tourism, hospitality and the creative industries. We are ready and open for business,” she stated.
The Minister’s remarks come as government intensifies efforts to leverage culture and tourism as drivers of economic growth and job creation.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
