Wild Psychiatric Patients On The Loose In Accra

A mentally challenged woman recently stoned to death an innocent man who was chasing his daily bread at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra, in the full glare of the public.

There are several more reports of mentally challenged persons who have caused various degrees of harm to persons across the country and the sheer increase in the number of such mentally challenged persons roaming the open streets of Accra has become a scary reality to live with.

These dangerous individuals are becoming too many on the street of Accra. They walk in the middle of highways, without the realization that they are causing danger to motorists and commuters.

These persons have become a big threat to drivers, especially at night. They erratically cross highways and busy streets  without warning and  oblivious of whether or not a vehicle is approaching at whatever speed.

The growing concern of streetlights not being fixed, with the high increase of these mentally challenged persons in town should be tackled as soon as possible.

This reality cannot be ignored anymore. There are too many ‘mad’ people in the capital, and it’s a growing concern that requires immediate attention from both the authorities and the public.

By using the term ‘mad,’ The New Publisher is talking and making reference to the systemic neglect of mental health issues in our society. The rising number of people showing signs of mental instability, often seen wandering the streets, is not just a random occurrence.

It is a signal that something is terribly wrong and when not solved, it would get worse and cause havoc to all of us, irrespective of one status in life.

The capital of Ghana which accomodates over five million people – a city that should inspire, unite, and push everyone forward has increasingly become a city where the mentally ill are left to fend for themselves, abandoned by both the system and society.

These individuals are often seen as a nuisance or as objects of pity, yet we rarely stop to consider the root causes of their struggles. They are left to cause danger to motorists who ply on our busy roads.

But calling someone ‘mad’ is not the solution. It is not a reflection of their condition but a symptom of our own failure as a society to address a pressing need. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and it deserves the same attention as physical health. We must rethink how we treat those affected and ensure they are not abandoned and left to rot on the street, to cause danger to drivers.

The government must take bold steps to improve mental health services. This means investing in more mental health professionals, building more accessible facilities, and ensuring that mental health services are integrated into the general healthcare system where such individuals are kept and properly managed by experts.

The Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, among other relevant stakeholders must take the necessary steps as well to bring an end to the increase of these individuals in society.

It’s time for action. The government needs to increase funding for mental health services and ensure that these services are accessible and affordable for all Ghanaians. Communities must also step up, offering compassion rather than fear, and creating environments where people feel safe to seek help without shame.

If Accra truly aims to be the beacon of progress and development, we must ensure that no one is left behind, especially those suffering from mental health challenges. The New Publisher believes the time to act is now, and it starts with a shift in how we perceive and treat our fellow citizens. It’s time to make Accra a city of compassion!!!