The Mental Health Authority has begun moves to close a spiritual healing centre in Kumasi where more than 2,000 people with mental health conditions are reportedly being kept.
Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority, Dr Eugene Kobla Dordoye, said the Authority was concerned about the conditions at the facility, including reports that some residents had been chained.
Dr Dordoye said the centre had previously been authorised to operate, but its licence had since expired.
“We wanted to close it down. He has a licence, but it has expired,” he said.
He disclosed this at the 5th Graduation Ceremony of the Ghana Christian University College.
According to Dr Dordoye, some of the people at the facility believe they are receiving spiritual treatment from the centre’s leader.
He, however, questioned the effectiveness of treatment for people with mental health conditions when they are subjected to restraints.
The situation at the facility has renewed concerns about the conditions under which large numbers of people with mental health conditions are cared for outside Ghana’s formal healthcare system.
Dr Dordoye also warned against the practice of giving medication to people with mental health conditions without professional medical guidance.
He urged families and caregivers to seek assistance from qualified health professionals rather than taking decisions that could put the lives and wellbeing of patients at risk.
The Mental Health Authority has previously expressed concern about practices at some spiritual and traditional healing centres, particularly the use of chains and other forms of restraint on people with mental health conditions.
Dr Dordoye stressed the need for appropriate professional care and proper standards to ensure that people receiving treatment are protected and given effective support.
The planned action against the Kumasi facility forms part of wider efforts by the Mental Health Authority to strengthen regulation of mental healthcare providers and protect people with mental health conditions from unsafe or harmful treatment practices.
