Mob Killing And Mental Health In Ghana

Illegal mining known in Ghanaian local parlance as “Galamsey” (corrupted from gather and sell) is a serious issue in Ghana as it is linked to environmental degradation. Ghana Armed Forces deployed some military personnel to curb galamsey at Denkyira Obuasi, in the Central Region of the Republic of Ghana. Captain Maxwell Adam Mahama met his untimely death in the Town when he was wrongly tagged as an armed robber. He died through mob killing. Some people speculate it might be a planned horrendous murder. Be that as it may, Ghana is a country without a proper mental health screening. A common method of screening is seeing nakedness of an individual in the public. Many citizens also deny their psychological disorders because of the stigma and stereotype attached to them. This writer wants to reflect on mob killing in Ghana and psychopathology.

The psychopathological case which suits mob killing could be intermittent explosive disorder (IED). IED is characterized with a repeated spontaneous episodes of impulsivity, aggressive violent behavior or angry verbal outbursts in which an individual reacts beyond proportion to a situation. This includes road rage, domestic violence, throwing or destroying objects and other temper tantrums. Explosive eruptions happen suddenly without a warning. Symptoms of aggressive episodes include rage, irritability, increased energy, racing, tingling, Tremors and tightness of the chest.

The explosive verbal and behavioral outburst are beyond proportion to the situation with no thought of consequences. This includes Temper tantrums, tirades, palpitation, heated arguments, slapping, pushing and physical fight. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of American Psychiatric Association 5^th edition (DSM-5) describes IED “Recurrent behavioral outbursts represent a failure to control aggressive impulses as manifest by either: Three behavioral outbursts involving damage or destruction of property and/or physical assault with physical injury against animals or other individuals occurring within a 12-month period. or. Verbal aggression (e.g., temper tantrums, tirades, verbal arguments or fights) or physical aggression towards property, animals, or other individuals, occurring, on average, twice weekly for a period of three months. The physical aggression does not result in damage or destruction of property and does not result in physical injury to animals or other individuals.” When IED results in death, it becomes a form of Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD).

IED could occur based on thinking errors or problematic thinking. Needless to say, in a group situation like Denkyira Obuasi, all the people could not suffer from IED simultaneously. However, IED is a motivating factor. Irving Janis’s 1772 concept of groupthink or one sided irrational thinking could be applicable here. A plethora of mental disorders including Antisocial Disorder, Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder, Major depression and others could jointly contribute to the issue under discussion. I also have empathy for the inhabitants of Denkyira Obuasi who were victims of armed robbery if the reported cases are true. Imagine a Cocoa farmer who had been deprived of a huge loan on his way from a bank.

In order to prevent mob killing in Ghana, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) must begin campaign against police stereotype! The police is a product of Ghana and all police officers must not be tagged as dishonest. I think as a nation we expect much from the law enforcement while we do little. What is parliament also doing about acid sale law in spite of many reported cases of some citizens drenching others with the dangerous chemical? Is the station officer at the Circle not aware of thieves who come there? Appropriate anger management interventions must also be factored into policies and programs. We must begin to look for real criminals and stop jailing defenseless citizens. Where do armed robbers get AK-47 rifle from? We must consider a broad sociological or psychological approach to child upbringing. Let me seize this opportunity to express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and Ghana Armed Forces. Let us take mental health issue seriously. “The only normal people are the ones you don't know very well” (Alfred Adler). God bless Our Homeland Ghana!

By Nana Yaw Osei
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