FAG saw the need to reconstruct the facility which started in February, 2019, consisting of six modern toilets and five bathrooms after the previous one was in a state of disrepair.

Freedom Aid Ghana is a non-governmental organization that champions health promotion programmes in the country.

Mr Andrew Barnes, the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana, who commissioned the facility said, it was among 21 other projects funded in Ghana and in seven of its non-resident countries of accreditation through its 2018/2019 Direct Aid Programs (DAP).

He said the DAP was an important tool that enabled the Australian High Commission to achieve practical and tangible humanitarian and development outcomes in local communities adding that the commission makes improving services for people with disability and mental illness a priority under the program.

"It is not a secret that mental health facilities are among the most under resourced in Ghana as in many developing countries around the world", he said.

Mr Barnes said presently psychiatric patients were required to pay upfront before they could be attended to at the psychiatric hospitals leading to limited access to mental health by many.

The Commission, he said, was working with government in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Foundation Ghana to develop a new mental health centre in Ningo-Prampram that would include consulting rooms to allow nurses attend to patients and other community activities.

He, however, said the Australia Awards programme which provided access to postgraduate education, training and professional development had added a six-week short course which would begin later this year on 'Mental Health Care in the public health context'.

This intervention, he said, would help achieve significant health outcomes for Ghana as there is 'No health without mental health'.

Mr Barnes called on government to ensure the passage of the Legislative Instrument on the Mental Health Levy, so as to improve funding to the mental health services in the country.

He commended Freedom Aid Ghana for the project and the hospital staff for providing the needed care for the vulnerable.

Mr Julius B. Kuusaalesuo, Deputy Director, Administration, expressed his gratitude to Freedom Aid Ghana and the Australian High Commission for the facility and called for assistance from other stakeholders.

Dr Caroline Amissah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mental Health Authority, said mental health patients should be treated with respect and dignity.

She said there has been improved support from government and other partners but more needed to be done considering the enormous issues of mental health in the country.

She urged the public and the media to join in creating more awareness of mental health as it was not limited to the poor but everyone.

Mrs Amissah praised government for its contributions and appealed that mental health be added to the National Health Insurance Scheme benefits.

Mr Bright Adoboe, Founder of Freedom Aid Ghana, said the organization was grateful to the Australian High Commission for funding the project adding that the NGO would continue to embark on more projects as part of its 'Care for the Needy Projects' for 2019.