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MFGh embarks on mental health education
A non-governmental Organisation (NGO) MindFreedom (MFGh) has embarked on an intensive public education on mental health and how to handle patients.
The educational forum, which was held at Akoefe-Gadza in the Ho Municipality, was attended by chiefs, teachers, parents, students and civil society groups.
Addressing the participants, the Executive Secretary of MFGh, Mr Dan Taylor said mental health should be regarded as a universal basic human rights, which needed to be given the maximum attention.
Mr Taylor said his outfit had started educating Ghanaians 19 years ago on mental health, and the importance of seeking early treatment at hospitals.
He announced that Open Society Africa (OSA) Organisation sponsored the outreach education programme, and commended it for the special interest shown in the promotion of mental health in the country.
According to him, lack of education on mental health over the years made some people believe that mental health was the work of the devil, and normally take patients to prayer centres and spiritualists for treatment.
Mr Taylor, therefore asked prayer camp leaders and spiritualists to refer mental health cases to health facilities and should stop chaining them, which worsen their conditions.
The Director of EmpoweringMinds Ghana, Mr Emmanuel Adadey said his Organisation was an NGO based in Ho and had partnered with MFGh to promote public education on mental health to reduce stigma and discrimination against mental health patients in the country.
Mr Adadey said it was important for Ghanaians to appreciate mental health as one of the diseases and avoid discrimination against patients, which most of the time worsens their conditions because the patients were more often isolated.
He, therefore, asked Ghanaians to show mental health patients love and care to facilitate the healing process.
The Chief of Akoefe-Gadza, Togbe Dikro IV commended the two organisations for Organising the programme, which gave the residents a better understanding of mental health.
FROM LAWRENCE MARKWEI , AKOEFE-GADZA
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
