Executive Director of Positive Wellness Recovery Centre, Dr. Francis Nii Lantey Acquah, has paid a courtesy call on the Pro Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Coast, Prof. Mrs. Rosemond Boohene.

Dr. Acquah was accompanied on his visit by the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SoNM)-UCC, Dr. Nancy Enyan Ebu; the Post Graduate Coordinator for SoNM-UCC, Dr. Jerry Paul Ninnoni and the head of the Department of Mental Health-UCC, Dr. Paul Narh Doku.

In his remarks, Dr. Acquah indicated that the visit was to inform management of the University of his Centre’s resolve to work with the University through the Department of Mental Health on enhancing mental health education and its impact on society.

According to the World Health Organisation and the Ghana Mental Health Authority, an estimated 3.1 million Ghanaians, representing 10 percent of the estimated 31 million population of Ghana, have one form of mental disorder or another, with 16,000 having severe cases.

In July 2021, the honourable Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, told Parliament that it was clearly established that 41 percent of Ghanaians have psychological distress – mild, moderate, severe – costing the nation 7 percent GDP loss.

Executive Director of Positive Wellness Recovery Centre, Dr. Francis Nii Lantey Acquah

Executive Director of Positive Wellness Recovery Centre, Dr. Francis Nii Lantey Acquah

Dr. Acquah added that the ratio of one out of five persons suffering a form of mental illness was a startling situation that begged for serious attention. He said an existing Memorandum of Understanding between his outfit and the School of Nursing and Midwifery under which the Department of Mental Health operates will be renewed as a step towards enforcing the collaboration between the two institutions towards promoting good mental health in Ghana.

Receiving the delegation, the Pro Vice-Chancellor was impressed with the intended collaboration between the Positive Wellness and Recovery Centre and UCC. She pledged the support of Management of UCC and said the essence of such partnerships was to improve learning through shared experiences and complementing the institutions involved.

She raised concern over the large numbers of Ghanaians who may not access the needed care while suffering any mental condition due to lack of awareness on mental health issues and financial constraints.

Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene

Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene

Prof. Boohene also mentioned the collaboration could look at the prospects of improving research into mental health and the translation of such academic works into policies that would benefit Ghanaians.

Dr. Acquah presented brochures on his centre to the Pro Vice-Chancellor and the delegation from UCC who accompanied him.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC