A clergyman noted that the war against mental illnesses would be easier won if Ghanaians, especially Christians join forces to fight the problem.
Reverend Dr. Charles N. Mills, President of the Living Praise Bible Institute, who made the observation, said “the era when we all looked up to government or someone else to solve our problems was over and we need to take our destiny into our hands through the spirit of voluntarism”.
He was preaching the sermon at an inter-denominational thanksgiving church service to climax this year’s world mental week celebrations under the theme: “Mental Health in Primary Health Care; Enhancing and Promoting Mental Health” at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.
Rev. Dr. Mills said “In most developed nations like America and Britain, there are many volunteers. For instance doctors, police personnel and fire service workers spend two to three hours weekly to render priceless services to those in need as volunteers in their own countries or even abroad but that is not the case in our country.”
He lamented that the church seemed rather interested in accumulating wealth which was not used to touch the lives of those who really needed it.
Rev. Dr. Mills said that “God did not call us pastors to make money for ourselves but to serve humanity”.
The clergyman said he has directed pastors of the church to raise funds and mentioned that tithes of members from October to December this year in particular should be used to support the all Psychiatric hospitals in the country.
He also urged the Ghana Mental Health Association (GMHA) to as a matter of urgency solicit funds from the Ghana Pentecostal Council and the Christian Council of Ghana and churches to support Psychiatry hospitals.
Rev. Dr. Mills said “I am appealing to my colleague men of God, their congregation and other well meaning individuals to respond positively when they receive any such request from the Association”.
Rev. Godson King Akpalu, President of the GMHA, has called on government to expedite action on the passage of the mental health bill which he explained would help improve mental health.
He said “mental illness can affect any body and there was the need to protect ourselves by passing the bill into law as a matter of urgency.”
The inmates of the hospital read verses from the Holy Bible to the admiration of all and the Psycho-drama troupe also performed a drama entitled “the Right of Misfits” to educate the audience.
There were also life touching testimonies from former drug addicts and couriers who have undergone rehabilitation and were living normal lives.
