Mental health and the safety of our society

It has always been the police being charged by the President and other opinion leaders to ensure that our society is safe. Sometimes ,other agencies such as the military, fire, prisons and the immigration services who collectively form the security agencies of Ghana are made to assist either in their respective capacities or as supplements to another.

The Ghana Police has on several occasions intimated that it intends to fight crime PROACTIVELY as opposed to its former reactive status . This readily tells that certain crimes could be prevented if their causes are identified. "WHERE THEN ARE THE PUBLIC RESEARCHES THAT IDENTIFIES THE CAUSES OF CERTAIN FORMS OF CRIME AND THEIR PREVENTION?" ,I ask .

In case these documents are available, what are the immediate measures to halt the occurrence of such crimes?

Today in our country; I mean the traditional Ghanaian society ,MENTAL HEALTH has become a new trend of THREAT to public safety causing more dangerous and grievous harm than the normal forms of crimes we know.

In May 2008, Amadu Osman was said to have killed his brother and eaten part of his limbs in Guangila, Northen region. Amadu, who gave a trivial reason for this cannibal act, has since not been told to the public whether he was in his right senses or not.

In July 2015, the life of his Excellency the President of this republic was menaced. Charles Owusu, who is believed to be mentally unstable, walked into the President 's church with a loaded gun but, unfortunately, missed his target because his Excellency was absent.

In addition ,Ama Docia ,a fourteen year old girl was butchered and eaten with kenkey by a man believed to be of unsound mind in Akyem - Asafo on 4th February 2016. As if these gruesome murders were not enough, barely a week ago ,two men also believed to be mentally challenged murdered eight people In Total at Assin Akrofuom and Jamasi in the central and Ashanti regions respectively.

These series of murders are so horrible and unthinkable; they are more threatening because no one knows when the other person passing, sitting or sleeping close to them would strike them dead under these vile mental conditions.

Section (27) clauses(1,2&3) of the crimes and offences act of Ghana (Act 29/60) gives a special verdict to people with mental derangement. They are exempted from liability to criminality, hence the acquittal and subsequent discharge of Charles Antwi, who attempted to murder President John Mahama.

In view of this ,why do we still have the mentally unhealthy roaming in our streets and communities?

Whose responsibility is it to keep society safe against such people? Why are psychologists and psychiatrists very far from public perception?

Albeit I need more answers and education from stakeholders ,I conclude that our society can be more safer if the mental health of Ghanaians is taken seriously.