2.3 Million Ghanaians ‘mad’ - Dr. Akwasi Osei

Dr. Akwasi Osei, Chief Executive Officer of the Mental Health Authority has revealed that more that 2.3 million of Ghana’s population is suffering from various mental challenges.

He observes that the number constitutes approximately 10% of the country’s population indicating that the situation is worse especially with latest findings suggesting an increase in the number of new mental cases.

“2.3 million Ghanaians suffer various forms of psychological disorders. The 2014 figures reveal more alarming figures”, he disclosed to Lantam Papanko on the Ultimate Breakfast show.

Dr. Akwasi Osei observed that the increasing cases of mental disorders is also a national security threat considering the spate of gruesome murders, violent conduct of mental patients, suicides and attempted suicides as recorded in various parts of the country and reported in the media.

He blamed this to mental related ailments, stating that the Mental Health Authority is bedevilled with inadequate funding to carry out its activities aimed at reversing this trend.

“Every now and then somebody has committed murder, attempted suicide or committed suicide. This is a national security threat. It is also worrying to note that the Mental Health Authority was established without funding…..it is seriously underfunded except the donor funding. The donors give conditions under which the monies will be used for”, he disclosed.

The Chief Psychiatrist called for more funding for Mental Health related activities as well as facilities throughout the country to cater for mental patients.