Press Release: Communique Issued by the Alliance for Mental Health and Development

Jul 31

The Alliance for Mental Health and Development (Alliance), a network of CSOs, NGOs, CBOs, and concerned individuals, convened its annual review and planning meeting in Tamale from 24th to 25th April 2024. During this meeting, we deliberated on issues concerning mental health, psychosocial disabilities, human rights, and the inclusion of people with mental health conditions in public health policies and services, which are critical to the mental health and wellbeing or poor and vulnerable people with Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Service (MHPSS) needs.

The Alliance expresses concern over recent actions and inactions by State actors that potentially have a negative impact on people’s mental health, and on poor and vulnerable people with mental health conditions. The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFS), and the government, under the aegis of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), revised the guidelines for the disbursement and management of the District Assembly Disability Common Fund (DACF) to enhance the inclusion of people with mental health conditions. While the Alliance looks forward to the implementation of the revised guidelines, the delay in the Minister for responsible for the MoGCSP formally signing off the document negatively impact the much-needed inclusion and benefit that people with mental health and psychosocial conditions should enjoy. Our Alliance is particularly alarmed by the delays in the release(s) of the Common Fund to the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in order that the 3% o the fund due persons with disability can be utilised to support their basic and felt needs.

The Alliance equally uses the opportunity to welcome and commend Mental Health Authority, for that matter, government, for the establishment of Mental Health Review Tribunal and Regional Visiting Committees. The Alliance is however worried about the lack of action by these bodies so established, which is attributed to limited financial resourcing. This situation undermines the rights and protections guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the Mental Health Law (Act 846). The Mental Health Review Tribunal and Regional Visiting Committees are essential for safeguarding the rights of people with mental health conditions and ensuring compliance with national and international policies and conventions.

Treatment of mental illness is often costly in the long-term if not adequately addressed immediately. People with mental health conditions and their primary caregivers are generally poorer than the general population. With a 95% treatment gap, and the requirement that people with mental health conditions are to pay for essential treatment at the point of service delivery, is at best unrealistic, as a majority of them are below the poverty line, earning less than the daily minimum wage. The Alliance is worried that promises by state officials to include mental health services in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) benefit package is yet to materialise, excluding many from benefiting from necessary care.

The Alliance has observed marginal improvement in the use of appropriate language when referring to people with mental health conditions. The use of derogatory language and stigmatising behaviours towards people with mental health conditions however persists, and such attitudes exacerbate the vulnerabilities, marginalisation and exclusion they face.

Considering these concerns, the Alliance calls for immediate action and proposes the following measures:

1. Approve DACF Disability Fund Disbursement and Management Guidelines: The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development to sign and launch the revised the DACF Disability Fund Disbursement and Management Guidelines. Additionally, ensure the prompt release of funds and transparent, unhindered access to the 3% fund allocated for persons with disabilities, providing essential financial and material support for people with mental health conditions.

2. Resourcing the Mental Health Review Tribunal and Visiting Committees: Allocate adequate resources to the Mental Health Review Tribunal and Visiting Committees and expand their operations across all regions of Ghana, providing a mechanism for redress and protection against abuse for people with mental health conditions.

3. Resource mental health facilities: Invest in district and community health facilities to provide comprehensive mental health care services.

4. Inclusion of mental health services in NHIS: Implement assurance to include mental health treatment in the NHIS benefit package by World Mental Health Day 10th October 2024. This will ensure access to mental health services for all.

5. Address derogatory language: The Government of Ghana, state and non-state print and electronic media should implement comprehensive measures to address stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities and mental health conditions. These measures should include public awareness campaigns to sensitise the public and promote of inclusive policies and practices.

In the long term, the Alliance urges the government to make sustained investments in mental healthcare services and ensure that social safety nets like the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty program effectively target and cover the poorest of the poor and vulnerable people, particularly those with mental health and psychosocial disabilities

The Alliance believes that these measures will enhance the development of mental health services and empower citizens to contribute to national development. We remain committed to collaborating with the government, institutions, and individuals to promote mental health, wellbeing, and human rights for all, especially those with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities.

Note to the Editor

The Alliance for Mental Health and Development (Mental Health Alliance) is a national network of over three hundred CSOs, NGOs, and CBOs engaged in mental health advocacy in Ghana. It has eight regional chapters in the Upper East, Upper West, Northern (Northern, Savannah and North-East), Brong Ahafo (Bono, Bono East and Ahafo), Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta, Central, and Eastern Region.

For Interviews, please contact the national and regional convener(s) below:

Peter Badimak YARO (National Convenor)

Email: peter.yaro@basicneedsghana.org

Phone: +233 24 457 2733

Dominic Wunigura Dominic (Accra)

Email: Wunigura.dominic@basicneedsghana.org

Phone: + 233 24 644 9046

Humphrey Kofie

humphrey.kofie@mehsog.org

024 463 6060

Ofosu Armah

rightsrehab@gmail.com