Political parties must prioritise homelessness and mental health -NGO
The New Beginning Rehabilitation Centre, a Non-Governmental Organisation has called on political parties to allow homelessness and mental health issues to take centre stage in the 2024 campaigns.
“We call on individuals and political parties seeking the people’s mandate to govern the country, as the 2024 General Election gets closer, to spell out comprehensive strategies, to deal with mentally challenged persons and homelessness, to enhance the welfare of victims, and protect the nation’s citizens.
“Mentally challenged persons on the streets pose significant threats to public safety and well-being. Incidents of violence involving these individuals, who are often without homes, bring to the fore the crucial need for comprehensive and pragmatic measures to address the menace”.
A statement signed by Mr Osman Ahmed Okyere, Chief Executive Officer of the NGO said they were worried that though political parties, presidential and parliamentary candidates, were campaigning for votes, highlighting plans to tackle health, education, social, economic and environmental issues, not much was said about mentally challenged persons and the associated problem of homelessness.
“Undoubtedly, successive governments have been trying to allocate sufficient resources towards the mental health care system, training more mental health professionals, establishing additional mental health facilities, and ensuring the availability of necessary medications and therapies”.
The NGO is soliciting the assistance of politicians and political parties in solving this disturbing problem, because the measures were not enough.
“Mentally challenged persons are not only a threat to pedestrians because they carry sticks and other dangerous implements, they also contribute to unhygienic conditions as they litter the environment with loads of rubbish, including empty cans, plastic bottles and waste paper.
“From nowhere, some of them appear in front of or at the sides of vehicles in traffic jams to ‘demand’ money, on many occasions scaring the occupants, especially when there are children on board.
The statement said the country had also experienced alarming incidents, where mentally challenged persons had attacked civilians, in cities like Accra and Kumasi, resulting in injuries and fatalities, spreading fear, and emphasizing the critical gaps in mental health care and social support systems.
“Sadly, some rehabilitated mentally ill persons have been abandoned by their families, and are relegated to the streets and in uncompleted buildings, begging for alms while some behave violently as if to vent their frustrations on society for neglecting them”.
It said Ghanaians, regardless of their mental health status or living situation, should receive the care and support they need to lead a safe and dignified life.
The New Beginning Rehabilitation Center is a non-governmental organisation, seeking the social, mental (health) and economic well-being of persons with mental