Editorial
We must get mental patients off the streets
On August 4, 2022, the Ghanaian Times reported that over 16,000 mentally challenged patients roamed the streets of Ghana resulting in attacks and assaults by mental patients on innocent people.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mental Health Authority, Professor Akwasi Osei attributed this to the lack of funds to remove the mental patients off the streets hence their presence on the streets leading to the increasing number of attacks on innocent citizens.
According to him, “the mentally challenged are to be confined to the psychiatric hospitals for treatment but the lack of funds is making it difficult to get rid of them off the streets” and appealed to the government to provide funding for the removal of these patients from the streets to prevent further incidents.
It is so scary and disturbing to see mental patients roaming the streets, especially in the cites, with some naked and others carrying dangerous weapons and threatening people nearby.
Some mental patients have even butchered or murdered children and adults causing loss and unforgettable pain to families but sadly they (the mental patients) rather walk freely on posing further danger to the citizenry.
There have been reports where some mentally deranged persons have even raped women going about their daily activities at knife point.
Although mental illness can occur as a result of life’s challenges such as marital, excessive abuse of drugs or alcohol among others, in some families it is genetic and one needs to be careful of how the mentally ill are treated.
The Spectator is happy about the call for support to mental patients which is a step in the right direction and the earlier we get rid of the mentally challenged people from our streets the better it will be for the citizenry to move about without fear or panic
We are all at risk of these attacks, therefore, the government must make mental health a priority in its agenda by providing adequate funds to deal with the situation for the safety of all.
Reports from the Chief Psychiatrist say that seven years ago, some funding was made available “from which mental patients were taken off the streets gradually back to the psychiatric hospitals, treated free of charge and reintegrated into the communities with their relations but ever since the funding ran out, this is the situation we have found ourselves.”
We are surprised that this noble agenda was stopped; we appeal to the government through the Ministry of Health (MoH) to find a lasting solution to the problem of mental patients posing insecurity to the rest of the citizenry.
The Spectator joins Prof Osei in his advocacy for “the government to establish a Mental Health Fund (MHF) through the introduction of at least GH¢0.50 levy charged on the monthly salary of all workers of the formal sector” which would substantially be enough to cater for mental health treatment for the country.
It is equally important for family members not to neglect their relatives who are mentally deranged as this could cause a relapse but to support and give them the needed love and care to make them stable.
Authorities must ensure that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHS) which was supposed to have covered mental patients’ treatment is implemented to enable relatives of the mentally deranged take them to the hospital for treatment so they do not end up on the streets.
The government must also supply the psychiatric hospitals with the needed logistics such as adequate drugs for both inmates and out-patients and build more health institutions across the country to accommodate the mentally deranged who are on the streets.
Additionally, the government should improve conditions of health practitioners so they will deliver their services promptly.
As a country, there is the need to give much attention to mental health which is a shared responsibility in order to get rid of mental patients off the streets.
Dear Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the deplorable state of the road from McCarthy Hill Junction to Mallam Junction, where the deteriorating road surface is contributing to heavy traffic congestion and making commuting increasingly difficult for motorists.
The affected stretch is an important section of the Accra–Kasoa Highway, used daily by thousands of commuters, commercial drivers, private motorists and other road users travelling between Kasoa and Accra. However, the poor condition of portions of the road forces drivers to reduce their speed significantly, creating long queues, particularly during peak hours.
The situation is frustrating for commuters who already spend considerable time travelling between their homes and workplaces. Commercial drivers also lose valuable working hours, while passengers experience unnecessary delays that affect their daily schedules.
What should ordinarily be a relatively smooth journey often becomes a prolonged struggle as vehicles approach damaged sections of the road. The resulting slow movement disrupts traffic flow and contributes to congestion along an already busy corridor.
The situation also raises concerns about road safety. Drivers attempting to avoid potholes and other damaged portions may make sudden manoeuvres, potentially increasing the risk of collisions. Continued use of the affected sections could also lead to damage to vehicle tyres, suspension systems and other components, imposing additional costs on motorists.
While traffic congestion along the Accra–Kasoa corridor may have several causes, the condition of the road between McCarthy Hill Junction and Mallam Junction is an issue that requires urgent attention.
I therefore appeal to the Department of Urban Roads, the Ministry of Roads and Highways and other relevant authorities to inspect the affected stretch and undertake the necessary repairs without further delay.
Improving the road surface would help vehicles move more smoothly, reduce avoidable congestion and improve the safety and convenience of commuters.
The authorities must act promptly to prevent the situation from worsening and provide relief to the thousands of road users who depend on this route every day.
Yours faithfully,
Concerned Citizen
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
A critical viewpoint on the function of Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) in guaranteeing child safety and upholding discipline in Ghanaian schools is highlighted in the statement made by Dr. Freda Prempeh, the former Deputy Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection.
According to the supporters of this viewpoint active PTA participation bridges the gap between parents and school administrations and acts as a crucial oversight mechanism.
They strongly believe that parents may better monitor school environments, support guidance and counselling, and hold staff members accountable to the Ghana Education Service (GES) code of conduct when they are involved in the basic and second-cycle school activities.
When school administration functions without external supervision, sexual abuse, exploitation, and indiscipline may result. This transparency is thought to be a crucial deterrent.
However, some educational experts point out that although strong PTAs are helpful, more than just parental supervision is needed to prevent deeply rooted problems like sexual misconduct and moral degeneration.
This viewpoint emphasises that the main instruments required to punish perpetrators and discourage future abuse are institutional enforcement, thorough investigations, and strong legal prosecution by state authorities rather than only school-level committees.
Furthermore, detractors frequently point out that if educational rules do not clearly specify the boundaries of oversight, an excessive reliance on PTAs may cause conflict with school administration.
A strong judicial and administrative proceedings shield victims from ongoing pain and intimidation, discourage potential offenders, and stop wrongdoing from becoming the norm.
In order to maintain high enrollment and completion rates among female students in basic and senior high schools, there should be strict implementation of the GES code of conduct to reassure families that schools are safe places.
Although legal analysts and administrative specialists note that speed is crucial, it must be carefully balanced with thoroughness and due process because hurried investigations might result in procedural mistakes that could lead to unfair sanctions.
Therefore, a comprehensive solution necessitates proactive measures like mandatory background checks and professional ethics training for educators.
The Spectator stresses the need to end sexual exploitation in schools while highlighting the continuous debate over the most effective ways for institutions to provide both prompt justice and legally sound results.
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
