Practitioners are confronted with ethical dilemmas, making it important that they understand and practise within the ethical guidelines of their profession.

The Chairperson of the Ghana Psychology Council (GPC), Professor Angela Lamensdorf Ofori-Atta, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at its 7th induction ceremony of 460 licensed psychologists, paraprofessionals and lay practitioners into full practice in Accra, confirmed that “ethical concerns are huge within our practice”.

The GPC, the regulatory body established by the Ministry of Health (MOH) under part five of the Health Professionals Regulatory Bodies Act of 2013 (Act 857), has developed a document on ethical principles and a code of conduct to assist practitioners in making appropriate decisions to assist their clients, ensuring that their trust in them is well-placed and that their confidentiality and dignity are always upheld.

Practitioners are encouraged to work towards maintaining the highest ethical standards and leadership through continuous education, because within a rapidly evolving world, where demands on their practices are ever-changing, the pursuit of excellence becomes the constant companion of practitioners.

Ethics

Focusing on the theme: “Ethics, Leadership and Excellence in Psychology Practice in Ghana,” Prof. Ofori-Atta said such virtues were cornerstones of the profession, shaping the way practitioners serve their clients, advance in knowledge and set standards for others to follow to help achieve Ghana’s Universal Health Coverage target.

She stated that over time, the scope of psychological practice in Ghana had increased exponentially as trained and motivated practitioners made efforts to be licensed with the council, giving hope that quality psychological services would be provided by practitioners who were guided by high ethical principles and standards.

She said there were ongoing processes to improve upon the council’s 10-year old law, drafting of a Legislative Instrument (LI) to facilitate its smooth implementation, and going forward, a proposed establishment of a College of Applied Psychology just like other professional bodies, to make the profession attractive to the youth.

The acting Registrar, GPC, Ms Anna Plange, said: “As Psychologists, we are entrusted with the most sensitive and personal information.

 It is our ethical duty to safeguard our clients’ confidentiality at all times,” building trust that forms the foundation of the therapeutic relationship for individuals to be open and honest without fear of judgement or exposure.

Ms Plange advised media practitioners to effectively investigate the professional backgrounds of their guests for licences as psychologists and counsellors, before allowing them onto their radio and television programmes, to avoid any embarrassment.