"Mental Patients" To Vote

Accra, June 17, GNA - The Ghana Health Service (GHS) and other stakeholders are exploring the possibility of persuading the Electoral Commission (EC) to uphold the right of psychiatric patients who are capable of voting to exercise their franchise during elections. Dr. Akwasi Osei, Acting Chief Psychiatrist of GHS who made this known in Accra on Tuesday explained that not all mental illness render patients incapable of taking decisions and this should be appreciated by all in order not to breach the rights of anybody.

Dr Osei, who was speaking at the launch of Ghana Mental Health Association (GMHS) noted that, it is only the psychiatrist who can determine the mental well-being of a person, "therefore the EC must register those who are capable and therefore eligible to vote as judged by their attending psychiatrists".

The launch on the theme: "Mental Health in a Challenging World" seeks to embark on massive public education and health promotion in schools and churches to advocate the respect of the right of the mentally ill.

Dr. Osei said people had over the years misinterpreted the clause in the Constitution, which said any body of sound mind was eligible to vote and to be voted as a blanket statement and thereby denying mentally ill patients the opportunity to exercise their civil responsibility.

He urged non-governmental organisations and associations working in the area of mental health to come together to ensure an active campaign.

Mr Abraham Dwumah Odoom, Deputy Minister of Health said the sector Ministry recognised mental health needs of the country and had therefore placed intervention programmes on its development agenda. "Mental health is one of the priority areas in the ministry's five year policy objective.

"The ministry's contribution towards the creation of a wealthy society is to make people healthy," he said. Rev. Godson Akpalu, Interim President of GMHS said the association would work to promote the welfare, vocational training, care and counselling on opportunities for suitable employment for discharged patients.

He said about 90 per cent of reported mental health cases were among the youth.

"The situation is becoming alarming" and called on individuals, families and organizations to contribute to providing the necessary resources and facilities to enhance the associations' work. Interim Executives of the association included: Rev. Godson Akpalu, President, Dr. Augustina Appau, Vice-President, Mr Owusu-Mensah, Secretary