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.
Yesterday was the International Day of Families (IDF), a global celebration of families and their significance that aims to increase awareness of social and economic challenges.
Every year on May 15, the United Nations observes IDF, a day that emphasises the value of families in social development and advocates for family-friendly legislation.
The UN General Assembly created the Day in 1993 to bring attention to economic, demographic, and social issues that impact families, such as urbanization, digital transformation, and climate change.
Because of this, the government, local communities, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) utilise this day to advocate for family-oriented policies like childcare and financial assistance to strengthen communities and advance health and education.
Children must live in a positive home setting that offers affection, love, care, support, pleasant relationships, discipline, and fairness since they are vulnerable and require assistance in a variety of ways.
In support of this year’s theme, “Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing,” The Spectator thinks that providing this supportive atmosphere for children will help advance their wellbeing.
In the meantime, today, May 16, is the “International Day of Living Together in Peace,” which aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in variety and differences, in order to create a sustainable world of harmony, solidarity, and peace.
This year’s theme, “Living Together in Peace: Building Trust through Dialogue, Inclusion and Reconciliation,” is appropriate since the day serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to promote compassion, understanding, and connection despite differences.
“Living together in peace is all about accepting differences and having the ability to listen to, recognise, respect, and appreciate others, as well as living in a peaceful and united way,” according to UNESCO.
In order for peace to prevail, individuals must choose to listen to and uphold the dignity of those whose experiences, opinions, and histories may differ from their own. We must recognize that coexisting peacefully is a practical endeavour rather than an abstract one. And in order for peace to prevail, individuals must decide to pay attention and uphold the dignity of those whose backgrounds, experiences, and opinions may differ from their own.
Respecting people’s opinions is important because it fosters trust and improves relationships. After a quarrel, most people find it hard to make amends, but The Spectator encourages people to talk, which is one approach to mend broken relationships. Tensions are reduced and the circumstances for peace are established through dialogue.
Each of us has a part to play in creating peaceful environments therefore as the theme draws attention to the daily work of peace in diplomacy, in institutions, families, schools, workplaces, communities, places of worship, and public life, let us uphold peace in high regard.
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern about the uncertainty facing many National Service personnel after completing their mandatory service.
Every year thousands of young graduates are posted to various institutions across the country where they contribute significantly to productivity and service delivery.
Unfortunately, after their service period, many are left unemployed despite demonstrating competence, dedication, and commitment to duty.
In many offices, National Service personnel perform the same responsibilities as permanent staff and in some cases help reduce workload pressures.
It is therefore discouraging that after gaining practical experience and contributing to national development, they are often asked to leave without any opportunity for permanent employment.
This situation has contributed to rising unemployment and frustration among the youth.
I would like to appeal to the government, public institutions, and private organisations to consider retaining hardworking National Service personnel whenever vacancies arise.
Creating a clear pathway for permanent employment after service would motivate young graduates to give off their best and also help reduce graduate unemployment in the country.
Eugene Ampiaw
Mamprobi-Camara.
News4 days agoGhana’s Chris Koney participates in high-level dialogue at Africa Forward Summit 2026
- News1 week ago
Isaac Adongo defends BOG Governor, says Ghana “in safe hands”
- Features4 days ago
Fix It Fast or Lose Them Forever: The Ever-Rising Importance of Service Recovery in Competitive Industries
