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Stop abusing mental health, epileptic patients – Advocate
Discrimination and use of abusive words and negative language on persons with mental health conditions as well as epileptic patients, have been identified as “debasing and an affront to their full recovery.”
The use of words such as ‘imbecile’, ‘mad’, ‘idiot’, ‘stupid, ‘moron’, and ‘crazy’ particularly in local language or any other language are said to downgrade patients and slow down their pace of healing.
Through no fault of his Mr. Polycarp Yelyuo a 42-year-old man with epilepsy at Fian in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issah District of the Upper West Region is constantly faced with abuse and stigma from neighbours and this has affected his self-esteem.
“I am not mad, I only have epilepsy which I have been fighting for a while with not much success but people often refer to me as the ‘mad man’, among other names”, he said.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed and causes seizures.
Although it is a neurological disorder, recurring epileptic seizures as noted by the Regional Mental Health Coordinator, Mr Sylvester Basagnia could affect a part of the human brain given the concussion, a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function, that occurred with every episode.
He said the frequency could cause mental health conditions but was quick to add that “some patients with seizure disorders had no mental health conditions at all”.
For Mr. Polycarp, the breaking point was when a family member referred to him a ‘useless mad man’ just because another family member wanted to gift him some used clothing to keep warm.
He told The Spectator that due to stigma, he had not been able to marry and lived by himself in his home at Fian where he reared fowls for sale.
“People sometimes call me wizard and claim I will use my witchcraft to kill them so they don’t associate with me; members of my family do not eat together with me as they claim I might infest them”, he narrated.
According to him, he had experienced quite a number of episodes within shorter intervals as a result of depression which stemmed from negative attitude received from people.
“I am used to outsiders bullying me but it becomes very difficult to contain when my own family members do that to me and refuse to support me”, he said.
A mental health advocate and Programmes Coordinator of the Centre for People’s Rights Initiative (CPRI), Mr Dominic Wunigura said Polycarp started receiving treatment for his condition when he was 20 years at which time it was difficult to stabilise the condition.
“Epilepsy when identified early and treated on time from the infant stage can be cured completely in some cases but when the disease lingers on for a while before management, then it becomes difficult to stabilise the condition”, he said.
He said in partnership with the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie, a project targeted at promoting positive language among persons with mental health conditions as well as recovered mental health patients, his outfit had been able to organise these people into Self-Help Groups to among other things, share emotional and physical support.
“Under the project, we are sensitising people and also the media to the use of positive language on persons with mental health conditions”, he added.
From Lydia Darlington Fordour, Wa
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Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee, launches action plan
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan.
The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”
The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.
“The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said.
He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.
The Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance.
He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.
“The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public.
She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.
The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament.
He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.
The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.
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NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency
The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs.
In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles.
He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.
Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels.
He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.
Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.
