News
Prioritise mental health issues at workplace
Prof Ohene
Discrimination, inequality, excessive workloads, low job control and job insecurity exposes workers to some risks of developing mental health problems, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Professor Sammy Ohene, has stated.
According to him, mental health issues among workers could also lead to absenteeism and ‘presenteeism’ which affects both the individual and the organisation
He defined ‘presenteeism’ as being present but not fully productive while absenteeism was when one is missing at work.
Prof. Ohene said this at a programme organised by the Department of Psychiatry of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on the theme: ‘it’s time to prioritise mental health at the workplace.’
According to the Consultant Psychiatrist, high workloads, tight deadlines and long hours can lead to chronic stress and burnout, causing fatigue, irritability, and decreased productivity, adding that work related pressures such as job insecurity, lack of control and workplace conflicts, could trigger or exacerbate anxiety and depression.
Additionally, he noted that strained relationships with colleagues, supervisors or clients can arise from mental conditions, leading to conflicts and a toxic work environment and that employees experiencing mental health conditions may struggle with concentration, decision making and completing tasks efficiently, thereby impacting on their overall performance.
He stated that individuals with mental health conditions were particularly at risk in unhealthy workplaces while those with severe mental disorders were more likely to be excluded from employment, and if they do get employed, they were more likely to experience inequality.
Prof. Ohene also identified being out of work, recent job loss and financial insecurity as risk factors for suicide.
Moreover, he indicated that mental health issues could also manifest physically leading to headaches, stomach aches, muscle tension and other somatic complaints.
“Issues that might affect one’s mental health includes excessive workload, poor pay causing constant pressure, stigma around mental health, unsafe or poor physical working conditions, under-use of skills or being under-skilled for work, understaffing and long, unsocial or inflexible hours,” he added.
Prof. Ohene indicated that in order to prevent work related mental health conditions, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended the implementation of organisational interventions that directly targets working conditions and environments.
He said these were interventions that mitigate, modify or remove risks to mental health such as flexible working arrangements, implementing frameworks to deal with violence and harassment at work.
WHO, he revealed, also recommends training for workers in mental health literacy and awareness to improve knowledge of mental health and reduce stigma against mental health conditions at work.
Also, he called for interventions for individuals to build skills to manage stress and reduce mental health symptoms, including psychosocial interventions and opportunities for leisure-based physical activity.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
The trial involving the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has officially concluded, with the Accra High Court scheduling July 3, 2026, to deliver its final judgement.
The closure of the trial follows months of intense legal battles between state prosecutors and the political figure over alleged breaches of Ghana’s mining regulations.
The end to the final trial was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon by the Deputy Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem-Sai.
In a public update shared via his official social media platforms, Dr. Srem-Sai revealed that the defence team successfully wrapped up its case.
“The accused persons in the case – The Republic v Bernard Antwi-Boasiako & 2 others – called their 5th and last witness today,” the Deputy Attorney-General revealed.
“The witness was discharged from the witness box a while ago. That brought the entire trial to an end. The judge has scheduled July 3 for judgement,” the Deputy Attorney-General stated.
The court, presided over by Justice Audrey Kocuvie-Tay, brings down the curtain on a trial that has heavily captured national attention.
Background of the Legal Battle
The case stems from state-led charges filed against Chairman Wontumi, Kwame Antwi (a director of Akonta Mining), and Akonta Mining Company Limited.
The state leveled six criminal counts against the accused persons, primarily centered on, unauthorized assignment of mineral rights, allegations that the defendants assigned mining concessions without the mandatory ministerial approval.
Also, facilitating unlicensed operations, an accusations of permitting unauthorized mining activities on their Samreboi concession.
The trial advanced to the defence stage earlier this year after the Accra High Court dismissed a “submission of no case” filed by Wontumi’s legal team.
In that ruling, the court maintained that the Attorney-General’s office had established a strong prima facie case, legally compelling the politician and his firm to open their defence.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
SC dismisses IMANI Africa’s suit challenging President’s Authority to appoint and remove security heads
The Supreme Court has dismissed a suit filed by IMANI Africa challenging the President’s constitutional authority to appoint and remove heads of Ghana’s security agencies.
The Court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Pwamang, ruled that the case lacked merit and dismissed all the reliefs sought by the policy think tank.
It also clarified the constitutional and statutory provisions governing appointments within the various security services.
Reacting to the ruling, a representative of IMANI Africa, Kofi Bentil said the organization was informed that the court had distinguished between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of Prisons, and other security service heads such as those of the Ghana Immigration Service and the Ghana National Fire Service.
According to him, IMANI Africa’s position was that all the security service heads are public servants protected under Article 191 of the Constitution and should be treated equally under the law.
However, he said the Supreme Court ruled that the IGP and the Prisons Service leadership are special cases and should be treated differently from the heads of the other security agencies.
“In a sense, what we asked for, they haven’t given us. But they’ve decided what to give us and that’s what they explained to us,” he said.
He noted that the Court’s reasoning appeared to be based on considerations of state security and the President’s role as head of the country’s security apparatus, although IMANI Africa said it was still seeking greater clarity on the basis of the decision.
The ruling brings to an end the legal challenge over the President’s powers to appoint and remove heads of Ghana’s security agencies.
By: Jacob Aggrey
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