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 Mental Health Foundation of G hana N ewsletter

 

December 2015

From the Desk of the President and the Board of Management

Seasonal Greetings  October 2015 saw heaps of activities around Mental Health in Ghana in celebration of Dignity in Mental Health. The 2nd Mental Health and Well-Being held at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, in Accra Ghana attracted over 250 participants, mainly mental health clinicians and students which included a full day of plenary and keynote presentations and continued with two further days of skills development workshops.

We are grateful to our International presenters Professor Anne Buist from the University of Melbourne - Australia, Associate Prof Chris Kewley Newcastle-Australia, Dr Victor Doku from the UK and his colleagues; our counterparts from Canada, Mr Noah Boakye Yiadom and Assistant Professor Magnus Mfoafo-M'Carthy and Dr Ernest Wilson from Germany. We had the opportunity to conduct the 12-hour international renowned Mental Health First Aid with 42 participants. A field research in the Ningo-Prampram area yielded amazing results, observing more than 60 people within the    

community appearing to have mental health disorders based on the research criteria. Community interaction, members of the diaspora team visited the University of Health and Allied Science, Ho Volta Region and met the Vice Chancellor Prof. Frank Newton Binka and other senior colleagues. We had the opportunity to visit the psychiatric admissions unit attached to the Ho District General Hospital and a local prayer camp where the students had been conducting health screening and providing support to the mentally ill. The World Mental Health Day activities included a community forum with the Central Region House of Chiefs followed by a visit to a Prayer Camp at Nyankomasi Ahenkro (Fanti Nyankomasi) in the Central Region. The experience seeing mentally ill patients chained to trees was overwhelming. We also participated in a Community Durbar at Cape Coast.

 

Merry Christmas  

 

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Presidential PHD Scholarships in Mental Health MHFGH has developed partnerships with various educational institutions in Ghana in furtherance of the Foundation’s aims. One such partnership has led to University of Newcastle Presidential PHD Scholarships in Mental Health. This scholarship was launched at our just concluded conference in Accra-Ghana [12- 14 October 2015] by the Acting Australian High Commissioner to Ghana and Associate Professor Chris Kewley from University of Newcastle.

TWO Presidential PHD Scholarships in Mental Health would be awarded to Ghanaian applicants to pursue further studies in the University of Newcastle’s Faculty of Health and Medicine. The Scholarships would cover tuition valued at A$115,588 per scholar over four years and represents a commitment of A$233,176 over four years.

Application  will  be  advertised  soon.    

   

Theme for 2016 World Mental Health Day  From Shona Sturgeon (Past President and current Vice President, South African Federation for Mental Health. Past President and current Vice President for Africa, World Federation for Mental Health):

“The 2015 World Mental Health Day theme of Dignity in Mental Health has been a great success as it highlights the core issues regarding mental health. In order for there to be Dignity in mental health it would mean that adequate finance would be allocated to mental health by governments around the world, there would be parity between physical and mental health, there would be social inclusion generally and there would be no stigma. Developing the Dignity theme further, the World Mental Health Day theme for 2016 is Psychological and Mental Health First Aid and for 2017 it is Mental Health in the Work Place.” Shona Sturgeon.

Patron We are pleased to announce that, the Queen Mother from Anamabo Traditional Area, Nana Mbroba-Dabo I from the Central Region of Ghana has agreed to become a Patron of the Mental Health Foundation of Ghana. “Nana Mbroba-Dabo I” will be a ceremonial Patron.

New Board Members  We welcome additional Board members Ms Grace Owusu Aboagye: Pharmacist, Ghana International Directors Mr Noah Boakye Yiadom: Health Promotion, Canada Assistant Prof. Magnus Mfoafo-M'Carthy: Lecturer, Canada Dr Aishatu Yushau Armiyau: Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Nigeria

 

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Office in Ningo Prampram  The renovations of the Mental Health Foundation of Ghana’s office in New Ningo are now complete and we thank Mr E. S. K. Akpebu of the EMEF Constuction, for the support. The MHFGH office will now be used by the local Community Psychiatrist Nurses from the Ningo-Prampram District Assembly.    

AWARD FOR SIGINIFICANT CONTRIBUTION AND EXCELLENCY IN ADVOCACYING IMPROVEMENT TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM

IN GHANA. Mrs Estelle Mathilda Appiah Mrs Estelle is the daughter of the First African Psychiatrist to work in sub-Saharan Africa, the late Professor EFB Forster. Prof Forster was responsible for the development of mental health services in Ghana. She is an expert in legislative drafting and peer review mechanisms and drafted legislation on various topics ranging from social policy and financial matters. But it is in her work on mental health that MHFGH cites her for this award. She has worked tirelessly and selflessly in the initiation and development of the process that led to the enactment of the Mental Health Act.

   

Mrs  Estelle  Appiah  receiving  her  Award.    

DR CROSBY MOCHIA AWARD FOR HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IN GHANA.

Chris Kewley is Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health and Medicine at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia. He is an international Director of the MHFGH and has worked assiduously through the foundation and his university to assist and improve the Ghana Mental Health System through Education and institutional engagements. Prof has Kewley has devoted time and energy and significant resources to support the Mental Health Foundation of Ghana.

 

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Prof.  Chris  Kewley  receiving  the  Dr  Crosby  Mochia  Award.  

 Recognition for the Foundation In  a  surprised  move  the  MHFGH  were  awarded  the  2015  African  Community  Philanthropic  Organisation  of  the  Year  at  the  Parliament  of  Victoria,  Australia.  

 

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Outreach Programs  Mr Phillip Atta Andoh Senior Staff Nurse at Pantang Hospital who have been conducting workshops and seminar to raise awareness about mental health issues in the community and the corporate sectors such as banks. Congratulations to Philip who has gained admission for further studies in England will be departing the shores of Ghana in January 2016. Our best wishes to Philip.

Mr Bright Asunda Senior Staff Nurse at Pantang Psychiatric Hospital will assume the role of our Outreach Program Coordinator. Welcome on board Bright.

Divine Kporha Congratulations to the UHAS students for their outreach work. Divine received an award for his leadership in the formation of the UHAS branch of the Mental Health Foundation of Ghana. The following also received prizes Abdul Cadri, Maana Sungbawiere Joshua, Abraham Kumah Nsaibu and Owusu Isaac.  

Certificates with CPD

Certificates have been dispatched to participants.

We are looking forward to a bright and exciting year ahead.

Our 2016 Conference Organising Committee will be headed by

Mr Noah Boakye Yiadom (Chair) Ms Grace Owusu Aboagye Dr George Kwefio-Okai Dr Jerry PK Ninnoni Mr Phillip Atta Andoh Mr Divine Kporha Mr Francis Acquah Ms Helen Walters Prof Chris Kewley News about the 2016 conference and workshops should be available in early February 2016.

Sincerely thank you to all our sponsors, collaborators and all the participants who have assisted us throughout the year.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Very Happy New Year.

   

Francis Acquah 2015 Mental Health Nurse Achievement Award winner Australian

College of Mental Nurses. President, Mental Health Foundation of Ghana.