St Pat’s promote mental health in Ghana

The chairman of the Association of Ghanaian Professionals in Ireland (AGPI), Dr Vincent Agyapong led a three member delegation including Mr Tom Maher and Mrs Sarah Surgenor, Director of Clinical Services and Communications Manager respectively of St Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin on a week’s working tour of Ghana to familiarise themselves with the mental health service delivery system in Ghana. The primary purpose of the visit was to attend the 2nd Intervarsity Mental Health Public Speaking Competition. SPUH had provided sponsorship for the competition in 2010 and 2011 and a component of the prize was a short elective mental health placement for the winning speakers.

The week began with an appearance on GTV Breakfast show by Dr Agyapong and Mr Maher during which the two shared their thoughts on how the mental health delivery system in Ghana could be improved. The St. Patrick’s representatives joined the judging panel of the 2nd inter-medical school public speaking competition in Accra to promote psychiatry as a career option for Ghanaian medical students. The two winners (chosen from Cape Coast University) will come to Ireland in May for a four week placement at St. Patrick’s. 

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The delegation later held an advocacy meeting with representatives of organisations working in the field of mental health in Ghana to learn about the challenges confronting their organisations and to explore ways in which St. Patrick’s could collaborate. Groups represented at the meeting included staff of the Department of Psychiatry at Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Basic Needs, Mind Freedom Ghana, Psych Info, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Services and other non-governmental organisations.

Whilst in Accra, the group met the Minister for Health, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh at his office. Dr Vincent Agyapong impressed on the Minister the need for Ghana to pass the new Mental Health Bill into law as soon as possible. Tom Maher also suggested that the government appoint a junior minister for mental health. The party then visited the Accra Psychiatric Hospital where they witnessed first-hand the deplorable conditions that patients with enduring mental health difficulties are kept in Ghana. The dilapidated hospital infrastructure as well as a shortage of staff and medication on all the wards at the hospital was in stark contrast with the commitment and dedication of the staff. Sadly people with mental illness do not have the right to vote in Ghana so there is no political will to modernise the mental health service facilities. 

The delegation also visited the office of Mind Freedom Ghana where they held discussions with staff who are working tirelessly to improve the rights of people with mental health and disability in Ghana.

Then it was five hours north to Kumasi where the group held meetings with the management and staff of the Department of Psychiatry at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Tom Maher and Vincent  Agyapong also took part in an hour long interview and listener phone-in on Luv FM, a popular radio station in Kumasi, on ways to improve the mental health situation in Ghana.

Finishing the visit, the group paid a courtesy call on the Manhyia Palace, the home of the Ashanti King where they were met by the Akyampim Hene – Nana Oheneba Aduse Poku. The Akyampim Hene expressed the support of Manhyia Palace and the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu for SPUH to collaborate on mental health initiatives in the Ashanti Region.

After a very busy week in Ghana the St. Pat’s team are now investigating ways to support local efforts to improve mental health services for those who so desperately need them in Ghana.