What about the mentally challenged?

‘It is my expectation that five years from now there will be no mad persons roaming the streets of the country, since they will all be effectively treated and integrated into society.’ Dr. Akwasi Osei-The Chief Psychiatrist of the Ghana Health Service. (Daily Graphic- 3rd August, 2012)

The Chief Psychiatrist’s apparent expression of hope is attributed to the passing of the Mental Health Bill into an Act in 2012 after it was first introduced in parliament in 2004. The shock here has to do with number of years the bill had to incubate before it was finally considered and approved by parliament.

We have gone past the middle of 2014 and I am yet to palpably witness practical steps taken by government and health officials aimed at making ensure the Mental Health Act becomes a breathing document. By this, I would want to be made abreast of the financial commitment that government has earmarked for the mentally challenged or retarded in Ghana.

It is without doubt nothing much has been done beyond the pomp and pageantry as well as the political capital that was highly harnessed after its passage by the ruling government in just about four months to the 2012 national elections. Why can’t our leaders commit more to support critical institutions such as Mental Homes or Institutions?

Now, one cannot criss-cross most of our major crowded city streets without swerving a mentally deranged person who is either partially or totally naked or foully unkempt. The worst case scenario is when sometimes these unfortunate Ghanaians verbally and physically attack innocent Ghanaians.

At times, it is extremely embarrassing how some of the mentally challenged individuals approach pedestrians or motorists especially during traffic hours only to beg for money to buy food. During such encounters, if one fails to offer something substantial, insults may be inevitable.

Recently, I witnessed an incident at a bus terminal that can best be described as a perfect despicable-deserving affair. A young lady in her hurried quest to avoid being drenched by the rain unfurled her umbrella over her well braided hair. As she paced briskly to join the long winding queue I found myself in, a mentally challenged man surreptitiously joined her under her colourful umbrella.

Some of us laughed and pointed our fingers in her direction. She suddenly turned and out of fright took to her heels. The umbrella and a big black polythene bag that engaged her two hands were left behind. The mentally deranged man gracefully took the umbrella, the half empty polythene bag and turned in different direction. The lady shivered as she wiped her face intermittently.

It took some kind young men to accost the ‘mad man’ who fiercely resisted their attempt to retrieve the things he wrongfully had in his possession. About two slaps unsettled the ‘mad man’ before he released the things. The young men returned the umbrella which was partly out of shape. She rejected the contents of the polythene bag on the basis that the ‘mad man’ fell on them as he succumbed to the impact of the slaps.

This unpleasant incident could have happened to a tourist who opted not to enjoy the negatives but the positives of the much acclaimed Ghanaian hospitality. The rate at which mentally challenged men and women are ‘decorating’ our filthy streets is very alarming. They also litter the streets to compound the nuisance that is festering cholera in the country. If practical timelines are not put in place, the tourism industry that is struggling for survival will not see any massive boost.

In the midst of the current economic hardship and needless rhetorical flamboyance, I wonder the immediate steps city authorities can deploy to contain the situation which seems to be getting out of hand. The good news is that some of these ‘mad persons’ can be treated and reintegrated into society. So why is government soldiering while their plight deteriorates into fatal insanity?

Beyond this, individuals, NGOs, corporate bodies among others can supplement the minimal efforts and contributions of Ghana Health Service in the provision of more specialised hospitals to cater for these unfortunate ones. They are human beings not worthless objects. They are covered by the Fundamental Human Rights every breathing being ought to benefit from.

The over ambitious five years deadline the Chief Psychiatrist gave to keep ‘mad persons’ off the streets of the country are gradually being eaten by time. And time is not man’s best friend as it is often said. Therefore, he must urgently remind government to double its commitment to help contain the situation.

On paper, the Mental Health Act, if it has received presidential assent as of now, exudes perfection in its polished verbal effusions. But the tangible implementation of its content is the panacea to restoring sanity in our society. I, indeed, trust as people we will work assiduously to avoid mental crisis in the country in the no distant future.

AUTHOR: OKOFO-DARTEY SAMUEL

E-MAIL: sodesq2000@yahoo.com