“Mental health in Ghana, like most other developing countries, is severely
under-funded by the national government and international donors. The mental disorder treatment gap (percentage of people with untreated illness) is estimated at 98 percent. Health professionals that treat mental health in Ghana, such as
community nurses and pharmacists, lack proper training but have become
the default practitioners in dealing with illnesses. Other options, such as
traditional healers, abound, but expose patients to unsafe treatments and
practices. Mental health policies in Ghana favour those living in urban areas in the
South of the country, where all major treatment centres are located. More
resources need to be allocated towards the problem in general, and with more equitable distribution across the country.”
