Launch of Ghana’s mental health policy

Prof. Akwasi Osei, CEO of the Mental Health Authority (MHA) explains the policy.

12 May 2021: Dorcas Mensah, Communications Manager

Ghana Somubi Dwumadie has worked in partnership with Ghana’s Mental Health Authority (MHA) to launch the 12-year Mental Health Policy.

Currently, Ghana spends just 1.4% of total government health expenditure on mental health. Meanwhile, a 2009 study estimated that 41% of Ghanaians have mental health conditions, majority of whom – between 85% and 98% of people in need – cannot access treatment. 

The long-awaited Mental Health Policy , which was launched in Accra on Thursday April 29, 2021, seeks to ensure there is quality mental healthcare available to anybody who requires it in any part of the country.

Speaking at the launch, chief executive officer of the Mental Health Authority (MHA) Prof. Akwasi Osei said “We want to promote mental health. So, once you are mentally healthy, we want you to remain mentally healthy…if it is recognised [that you need mental healthcare], there should be opportunity for you to assess the care. So, the care should be spread nationwide…” 

This is not the first policy developed to improve mental healthcare in Ghana. The first policy was developed in 1994 and reviewed in 1996 but it was not implemented due to financial challenges. The launch of this policy, which runs from 2019 to 2030, was previously delayed due to lack of resources.