By Prince Ahenkorah
Representing the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana at the official launch of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Policy Adviser at the Office of the Vice President, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, underscored the urgent need to accelerate mental health education and actively challenge the outdated cultural perceptions and taboos that continue to influence national discourse on mental well-being.
Speaking at the event held on April 30, 2025, at the Ghana Shippers Authority Conference Room – MT Addico Hall, under the theme “Mental Well-being: My Voice Matters”, Ofosu Ampofo emphasized that for far too long, mental health issues in Ghana, and globally, have been gravely misunderstood, insufficiently discussed, and woefully underfunded.
He noted that mental well-being has often been buried beneath layers of stigma, fear, and silence, making it difficult for affected individuals to speak out.
“We have allowed outdated perceptions and cultural taboos to shape national conversations around mental wellbeing,” he said.
Ofosu Ampofo stressed that countless individuals dealing with mental health challenges continue to suffer in silence due to societal judgment and a lack of safe spaces for open dialogue.
He pointed out that this culture of silence is not only harmful but potentially fatal, as it is “robbing lives and draining the vitality of the youth.”
He emphasized the need for urgent and widespread mental health education, aimed at dismantling harmful stereotypes and fostering empathy.
“We should solidarize with those whose voices have not been heard for a long time,” he urged.
He added, “In the voice of the Vice President, your voice matters, our collective well-being matters; let us lift our voices together so that no Ghanaian feels alone in their struggles.”
He called on Ghanaians to become the generation that breaks the stigma, that champions mental wellness, and that affirms every individual’s right to live a life of dignity, hope, and support.
He further stated that the nation must create an environment where individuals experiencing mental health issues are met with empathy, not judgment. He noted that Ghana needs to move beyond mere awareness to tangible action.
“Let us turn awareness into action, and concern into commitment,” he stated.
Ampofo concluded with a powerful call to unity and compassion, urging all stakeholders, from government agencies to civil society and communities to work together.
“Together, let us build a Ghana where mental health is not a hidden issue, but a visible, supported, and prioritized part of our national health agenda.”