Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has reiterated the government’s commitment to improving mental health care nationwide.
Speaking on her behalf at the launch of the 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month in Accra, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Policy Adviser at the Office of the Vice President, emphasized the government’s plans to strengthen mental health infrastructure, expand community-based services, and support the Mental Health Authority’s efforts across the country.
He noted that sustainable progress would require a nationwide cultural shift in attitudes toward mental health.
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month—also known as Purple Month—has officially been launched in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Mental Health Authority. The 2025 theme, “Mental Wellness: My Voice Matters,” emphasizes the importance of advocacy, visibility, and inclusivity in addressing mental health nationwide.
Throughout May, the campaign will focus on raising awareness, amplifying the voices of stakeholders, and issuing a national call to end stigma and elevate mental health as a critical public health priority.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Ofosu Ampofo expressed concern over a significant rise in mental health conditions over the past two years, with reported cases of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders increasing by more than 20%.
“Mental illness does not discriminate. It affects people of all backgrounds, and this truth must move us to action—not fear,” he noted. The government, he assured, is working to improve mental health infrastructure, expand community-based services, and support the Mental Health Authority.”
He affirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening mental health infrastructure, expanding community-based services, and supporting the Mental Health Authority. However, he emphasized that true progress hinges on a cultural shift: “We must build a society where seeking help is a sign of courage, not shame. Every Ghanaian deserves to live with peace of mind and access to support.”
Mr. Ampofo urged all citizens to use their voices to build supportive, stigma-free communities.
“Let us be the generation that breaks the stigma, that prioritizes mental wellness, and that affirms every individual’s right to live a life of dignity, hope, and support.”
Minister for Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, outlined several key initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s mental health system. These include integrating mental health services into Primary Health Care to improve community access, constructing a modern psychiatric hospital in northern Ghana, and upgrading existing facilities.
“The Accra and Pantang Psychiatric Hospitals will receive additional resources to improve service delivery,” he said. “We will also review the Mental Health Authority Act to enhance recruitment and retention of Community Mental Health Officers, and introduce mental health hotlines under the NHIS for district-level support and e-counseling.”
Professor Pinaman Appau, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority, called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society, the media, and all Ghanaians to become advocates for mental health—standing against discrimination and promoting understanding and inclusion.
Throughout May, community events and advocacy initiatives will be held to highlight the vital role of mental health as a cornerstone of overall well-being.
