Background
Mental Health Review Tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies established in several countries to safeguard the rights of individuals with mental health conditions, particularly their rights to liberty and to refuse treatment. While the practice of holding individuals with severe mental health conditions without their consent remains controversial, it is often permitted under specific conditions. An independent body like the Review Tribunal is crucial for ensuring that such cases are handled with a focus on human rights and justice, and that individuals can be discharged if their detention is found to be unjust.
In Ghana, the establishment of the Mental Health Review Tribunal in three pilot regions—Ashanti, Greater Accra, and Central—marks a significant step in upholding the rights of people with mental health conditions. This Tribunal is an independent body mandated by the Mental Health Act of Ghana 2012, which emphasises the protection and promotion of human rights for individuals with mental health conditions. The Tribunal’s core functions include assessing when and under what circumstances certain rights, such as the right to liberty and the right to refuse treatment, may be limited, and providing oversight on other critical human rights issues.
The process of establishing the Review Tribunal in Ghana was complex and offered valuable lessons for scaling up the initiative across the country and for other nations looking to establish similar bodies. As part of the WHO Special Initiative in Mental Health, Ghana's experience with the Review Tribunal provides key insights for promoting human rights through this mechanism.
Description
We invite you to a webinar titled "Groundbreaking Establishment of a Mental Health Review Tribunal in Ghana: Who Can Be Helped, Why, and How?" This session will explore the establishment of Ghana's Mental Health Review Tribunal, its role in protecting the rights of individuals with mental health conditions, and the broader implications for human rights in mental healthcare.
Moderator: Edwina Seguwa Agroh, Esq. - Head of Rights and Quality Division at Mental Health Authority
Speaker: Professor Melvyn Freeman, Consultant on Mental Health
This webinar was held on 5th September, 2024 at 10:00 AM.