The Plight Of Mental Patients In Ghana—MEMHREP Steps In To Help

Although, every human being is susceptible to mental illness of all kinds, it is regrettable to note that not much attention has been given to mental health issues in most African countries. Mental patients remain one of the most vulnerable people in our society. This is because a close observation of their daily activities shows that, the street has become the homes of majority of mentally-ill persons due to lack of care and support from the general public. This situation poses a threat not only to human life, but also to environment and foreign direct investment to the country.

In September, 2013, Dr. Akwasi Osei, Director of Accra Psychiatric Hospital revealed to Human Rights Watchdog that, the number of people suffering from mental health problems has been on the increase consistently. The World Health Organization also estimates that out of the 25 million people living in Ghana, 2.5 million of them are suffering from mental illness of varied degrees with 7,000 considered being serious. Also, out of the 7,000 classified as severe, majority are women. Even though, conditions for those who are fortunate to be housed in the psychiatric hospitals are not the best, the condition for their counterparts on the street leaves much to be desired. There is no shelter; and neither there is medical care, food nor clothing for them. Besides, the mentally-ill persons are stigmatized, isolated, mocked, abused, and neglected by the society as if they are non-humans. Although, the Ministry responsible for Gender, Children, and Social Protection is doing its best to bring the situation under control, the enormity of the problem requires further helping hands.

It is against this backdrop that Mensah Mental Health Rehabilitation Project (MEMHREP), an NGO headquartered in the UK has come in to help. MEMHREP, which intends to operate in all African countries in the long run is currently providing care and support for these unfortunate fellow human beings. For the past three years, MEMHREP has been feeding, bathing, and clothing the mentally-ill persons (Nyame Adehye3) on the street in the Kumasi Metropolis at its own expenses. Led by Mr. Adu Gyamfi, this Charity Organisation is putting measures in place to extend such gesture to "Onyame Adehye3" in other parts of the country.

It would be recalled that MEMHREP saved a precious life in September, 2014 by rescuing a 4-month baby of mentally-deranged woman from death. The baby was abandoned in a pit at Adum, Kumasi by her Nigerian mother who is mentally-ill. As we write today, the baby is at the Sisters Of Charity Roman Catholic Orphanage at Mbrom-Kumasi looking healthy and cheerful.

Also, in April 2014, MEMHREP ventured into agriculture with the view to producing foodstuffs to feed its clients. Interestingly, the Organisation produced substantial amount of maize to win the best institution in maize production in the Atwima Kwanwoma District. As a result, MEMHREP was awarded a certificate of honour and other farm inputs during the 2014 National Farmers' Day Celebration.

MEMHREP is planning to build a permanent Rehabilitation Centre for "Onyame Adehye3" (Mental patients) in Ashanti Region. The Charity Organisation also has teams such as Administration, Psychiatrists, Catering, Pastoral Care, Resettlement Plan, Recreational Therapists and Agriculture that play different roles in the recovery and rehabilitation of the mental patients. For instance, whilst the clients recover, the project prepares a resettlement plan by providing the necessary skills for employment and housing to reintegrate them back into the community.

MEMHREP therefore needs all kinds of support from individuals, philanthropists, and institutions home and abroad to make the organization's dream of ridding our streets of mental patients a reality. MEMHREP can be located at Asafo Y.F. Junction in Kumasi.

Donations via MEMHREP secured website or can also be paid into the NGO/charity's bank account in Ghana at CAL Bank, Kumasi Kejetia Branch. Account name: MEMHREP. Account No: 151017809014. NO CONTRIBUTION OR DONATION IS TOO SMALL' – EVERY LITTLE HELPS. 'Boa Onyame Adehye3'. You can also contact MEMHREP on 0044(0)7572625833 (UK), 0013476476864 (USA), 00233(0)246530481 (GH) & 00233(0)246643341(GH) 00233322395627 (GH office line) or www.memhrep.org.uk