Ghana Seeks to End Chaining of 'Mad' People
Published : 2017-10-23
Author : Modern Ghana - Contact: modernghana.com
🛈 Synopsis : It is time for the Ghana government to invest in mental health services, so people with psychosocial disabilities can get support, instead of ending up in shackles.
Main Digest
Making the announcement during the commemoration of Mental Health Day, the head of the MHA stated that "the country's ban on shackling - is in place since 2012 - will finally be properly enforced."
Citing an example, he mentioned that the MHA oversaw the release of more than a dozen people with disabilities who were chained in Nyakumasi Prayer Camp in the Central Region in July this year.
Peter Yaro, Executive Director of BasicNeeds, a mental health non-governmental organisation, in a statement to mark the day disclosed that "people in Ghana resort to shackling people with psychosocial disabilities because they see no alternatives."
"It's now been five years since the passage of the Mental Health Act and it is high time for the government to invest in community-based mental health services, so people with psychosocial disabilities can get the support they want, instead of ending up in shackles," Peter Yaro said.
The issue with mental disabilities in Ghana is highly prevalent.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately three percent of Ghana's 28.2 million people suffer severe mental disorders, and 10 percent suffer from mild to moderate mental disorders.
These mild disorders include anxiety disorders and depression, two very curable cases.
In Ghana, mental health conditions are perceived to have a spiritual basis, thus, sending many individuals to prayer camps and other faith-based healing options to get treated, yet studies show that the prayer camps are laden with ill-treatment and degrading living conditions for the mentally ill.
The Coalition on Non-Governmental Organisations in Mental Health, adding their voice, demanded that people with mental health conditions in Ghana should no longer be subjected to inhumane treatment.
Instead, they suggested to government to ensure that people with psycho-social disabilities are treated with dignity and be made to live full and independent lives. They called for more programmes to combat the stigma associated with mental health, especially at workplaces.
Related Africa Documents
- 1: Namibia: Leave No One Behind (LNOB) Creating Access for All : Leave No One Behind (LNOB) a disability accessibility standard for all public buildings and infrastructure has been created in Namibia.
- 2: Seriousness of Covid-19 Pandemic in Africa : International NGO ALIMA warns of seriousness of the situation in Africa and calls for emergency deployment of staff, medicine and materials necessary for humanitarian activities.
- 3: Humanitarian Crisis in the Sahel : Large-scale population displacements, armed attacks and high levels of food insecurity have contributed to a humanitarian emergency in the 3 border zone of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
- 4: Climate Change Likely to be More Deadly in Poor African Settlements : Conditions in crowded, urban settlements in Africa make effects of climate change worse, pushing temperatures to dangerous heights for children and seniors.
- 5: Youth with Disabilities Resolve to Affirm Their Identity : Youth Day Disability Awareness Event that was held at Soshanguve Crossing Mall attracted a throng of young persons with disabilities together with their abled-bodied counterparts.
You're reading Disabled World. Be sure to check out our homepage for further informative disability news, reviews, exclusive stories and how-tos. You can also follow Disabled World on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Disclaimer: Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are in no way meant to be a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Any 3rd party offering or advertising on disabled-world.com does not constitute endorsement by Disabled World. View our Advertising Policy for further information. Please report outdated or inaccurate information to us.
Cite Page: Journal: Disabled World. Language: English (U.S.). Author: Modern Ghana. Electronic Publication Date: 2017-10-23. Title: Ghana Seeks to End Chaining of 'Mad' People, Source: <a href=https://www.disabled-world.com/news/africa/mad.php>Ghana Seeks to End Chaining of 'Mad' People</a>. Retrieved 2021-04-11, from https://www.disabled-world.com/news/africa/mad.php - Reference: DW#444-13046.