The Ghana Alliance for Mental Health and Development has urged the government to operationalise the Mental Health Fund established under Section 82 of the Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 846). The Fund aims to provide sustainable financing for mental healthcare delivery, improve psychiatric infrastructure, support mental health research, and promote the welfare of patients and healthcare workers. However, the Alliance notes that the Fund has remained dormant since its establishment in 2012.
The Alliance's call was contained in a communiqué signed by Peter Badimak Yaro, National Convenor of the Ghana Alliance for Mental Health and Development, to commemorate World Mental Health Day 2026. The theme of this year's celebration is "Lived Experiences Heard, Real Voices, Real Change". The Alliance commends the government for including four mental health conditions on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) but stresses the need for significant improvement in financing for mental health.
The Alliance proposes that the government reserve a 5% employment quota in local government institutions for persons with disabilities. This policy should be supported by clear implementation and monitoring procedures to ensure that eligible persons benefit. The Alliance also calls on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to effectively use the 5% allocation of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to equip beneficiaries with employable skills and support for income-generating activities.
The Alliance also calls for increased advocacy to eliminate social stigma, prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination against persons with disabilities. Stakeholders are urged to promote the participation of persons with disabilities and those who have recovered from mental health conditions in socioeconomic, civic, and political activities. The Alliance stresses that people with disabilities and lived experience of mental health conditions must be included as key decision-makers in designing programmes and services planned to support them.
The Alliance urges responsible media reporting and public accountability. The media has a special responsibility to educate the public about mental health and disability while helping to combat stigma. Media practitioners are urged to use respectful language and protect the dignity and privacy of persons with lived experience of mental health conditions. The Alliance proposes partnerships between the media and civil society organisations to produce educational materials and organise campaigns to promote inclusion and challenge stigma.
The Alliance calls for measurable results and urges the Ministry of Finance, the Administrator of the DACF, and MMDAs to strengthen transparency and accountability in disability-related funding. Relevant local government institutions are encouraged to operationalise inclusive employment measures to improve access to jobs and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities. Development partners, foundations, and private businesses are also encouraged to invest in inclusive employment, community-based mental health services, legal accountability, and sustained anti-stigma campaigns.
The Alliance reiterates that persons with disabilities and those with lived experience of mental health conditions must not merely be consulted but must meaningfully influence the policies, programmes, and resources designed to support them. Inclusion must be reflected in budgets, employment opportunities, accessible services, and measurable results. The Alliance's recommendations aim to address the significant challenges facing Ghana's mental healthcare system and promote a more inclusive and supportive environment for persons with disabilities.
Key points
- The Ghana Alliance for Mental Health and Development urges the government to operationalise the Mental Health Fund to improve mental healthcare financing.
- The Alliance proposes a 5% employment quota for persons with disabilities in local government institutions.
- The Alliance calls for responsible media reporting and public accountability to combat stigma and promote inclusion.
