BasicNeeds-Ghana recently hosted officials from the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK-FCDO) at its Accra office for a meeting that focused on enhancing emergency Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) responses. This session, facilitated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Ghana, highlighted a collaborative MHPSS intervention aimed at supporting communities affected by flooding in Ghana’s Volta Region. The initiative, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service and the Ghana Mental Health Authority, received crucial funding from the UK-FCDO.
The UK-FCDO officials, Ms. Uzoamaka and Dr. Samuel Tweed’s visit was part of a broader mission to develop an integrated health security framework that emphasizes inclusivity, particularly for individuals with disabilities, including mental health conditions. This vision extends beyond Ghana to include other countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
During the meeting, Dominic Wunigura, Programme Coordinator at BasicNeeds-Ghana, presented key insights into the MHPSS intervention’s implementation in communities that were affected by the floods in the Volta Region in 2023. The presentation covered the organization’s role in conducting rapid assessments, partnership with WHO in Ghana, in delivering a community-based MHPSS emergency response in the flood affected communities. He also highlighted the successes and positive outcomes achieved within the project’s three-month timeframe, while acknowledging the challenges faced and lessons learnt.
The UK-FCDO officials expressed support for the integration of mental health considerations in emergency response strategies, commending BasicNeeds-Ghana’s efforts to ensure mental health advocacy and inclusion in disaster planning. Their engagement with the Inter-Agency Working Group on Emergencies (IAWGE) was particularly noted, as BasicNeeds-Ghana’s participation had helped address gaps related to mental health and psychosocial issues in the context of emergencies.
Discussions also centered on the need for a Ghana-specific MHPSS response plan for emergencies and outbreaks. While BasicNeeds-Ghana has utilized global resources like the WHO’s MHPSS in Emergency Settings guide, the officials emphasized the importance of developing tailored strategies for the local context. They also stressed the need to strengthen institutional capacity to address mental health needs during crises, ensuring that responses are both timely and effective.
The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism, as the UK-FCDO officials commended BasicNeeds-Ghana’s proactive approach to emergency mental health response. They recognized the organization’s significant contributions, particularly during the Volta floods and the COVID-19 pandemic under the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie Programme.
