Accra, Ghana – As Ghana ushers in this year’s Purple Month campaign under the theme “Mental Well-being: My Voice Matters,” Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have reiterated the urgent need for government intervention in strengthening the country’s mental health system.
At the official launch of the 2024 Purple Month last Wednesday, Mr. Dominic Wunigura, Programme Coordinator at BasicNeeds Ghana’s Accra Office, delivered a solidarity message on behalf of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in mental health. He commended the Mental Health Authority (MHA) for introducing the Purple Month initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that has heightened awareness and public engagement on mental health issues nationwide.
“The initiative has created a critical platform for dialogue and collaboration. As CSOs, we are fully committed to supporting activities throughout the Mental Health Awareness Month and working together to sustain this momentum,” Mr. Wunigura stated.
Speaking on this year’s theme, Mr. Wunigura stressed the importance of involving persons with lived and living experience of mental health conditions in designing policies and delivering services. He noted that their voices are central to improving user-centered approaches, enhancing empowerment and self-advocacy, combating stigma, and fostering community inclusion.
Mr. Wunigura also used the platform to highlight some pressing concerns within Ghana’s mental health sector. He appealed to the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, to take immediate action on key policy and infrastructure challenges, including:
– Reconstituting the Mental Health Board to strengthen leadership and governance within the sector;
– Ensuring mental health services are fully integrated into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to make care more accessible and affordable;
– Prioritizing the construction of psychiatric facilities in the northern zone to bridge the regional gap in service availability; and
– Supporting the rehabilitation and modernization of the country’s three existing psychiatric hospitals to improve conditions for both patients and healthcare providers
He underscored that without urgent investment and political will, many Ghanaians living with mental health conditions will continue to be underserved.
Purple Month, introduced by the Mental Health Authority in 2024, aims to promote education, advocacy, and inclusive policy action around mental health in Ghana. It brings together state actors, CSOs, service users, and the general public in a month-long series of activities designed to challenge stigma and improve access to mental health care.
