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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.