News
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
Ahyiresu and Abofrem, two quiet communities in the Atwima Mponua District, have been shaken to the core by a chilling midnight drama that reads like a nightmare.
A pastor and a young mother stand accused of attempting to bury a five‑month‑old baby girl alive, a crime that has ignited outrage and disbelief across the township.
According to police, Apostle Richmond Akwasi Frimpong, 36, Head Pastor of the Anointed Grace Prayer Ministry at Kuffour Camp, conspired with his uncle Emmanuel Appiah, 53, and the child’s mother, 23‑year‑old Beatrice Agyapomaa, to dispose of the infant, Anaya Achiaa, under the cover of darkness.
A fourth suspect, Emmanuel Donkor, remains on the run.
The suspects were caught near a refuse dump around 10 pm on April 9, 2026, after a vigilant resident, Akwasi Twezor, noticed their suspicious movements.
When confronted, they claimed the child was already dead and had palace approval for burial. But Twezor’s instincts proved right—the baby was still alive, gasping faintly for breath.
Chief Linguist, Nana Yaw Badu, later confirmed that Frimpong had misled him earlier in the evening, securing permission for burial by falsely declaring the child dead.
The infant was rushed to the Abofrem Clinic, where she is now responding well to treatment. Police described her as “very beautiful.”
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Evelyn Yitamkey, Commander of DOVVSU in Bibiani, confirmed that the suspects have been provisionally charged.
Frimpong faces attempted murder and conspiracy charges, while Agyapomaa and Appiah are charged with conspiracy and abetment.
They were remanded by the Bibiani Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Frank Asiedu Nimako, to assist investigations.
The docket has been forwarded to the Attorney General’s Department for advice, ASP Yitamkey indicated.
The attempted crime has provoked fury among residents, many suspecting ritual motives aimed at bolstering the pastor’s influence.
Crowds attempted to attack the suspects outside court, but police intervention prevented mob justice.
The Assembly Member for Ahyiresu, Yusuf Suleiman, has assured residents that justice will be pursued swiftly.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
The forecourt of the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB) in Accra came alive on Friday with colour, creativity and innovation, as Level 300 students transformed the space into a lively exhibition of ideas.
Under the theme “Building meaningful brands beyond the logo,” the students invited patrons into a world where ordinary products were reimagined through storytelling, design and purpose.
From scented candles to innovative food concepts, each stand told a unique story, one that went beyond aesthetics to capture identity, value and human connection.
For many of the students, the event was more than just an academic exercise; it was a moment to dream out loud.
Guided by their lecturer, Peter Wonders, they explored what it truly means to build a brand in today’s competitive world where trust, consistency and experience matter just as much as logos and slogans.
Chairman of the occasion, Nana Kum Gyata VI, in his remarks said a brand is what people say about you when you are not present.
At the end of the presentations, awards were presented to deserving groups with Vida Nyaneba emerging as the overall best branding student.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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