At a donation ceremony held at the hospital last Friday (December 20, 2024), Nii Ankonu Annorbah-Sarpei, Programmes Manager of the KGL Foundation, underscored the critical need for support at the facility.

“Over the years, we have recognised that this facility requires substantial support,” he stated.  

The foundation pledged to invest half a million Ghana Cedis into the project, which will include the renovation of several units within the hospital and the installation of solar panels to promote energy efficiency and sustainability. 

“The KGL Foundation is committed to renovating several units within the hospital to create a more conducive environment for mental health care,” Mr Annorbah-Sarpei revealed. He also expressed the foundation’s goal to establish a dedicated space that would position the facility as a leading mental health centre in Ghana. 

Advancing mental health care  

As part of its efforts, the KGL Foundation donated essential food and sanitary supplies to the hospital, including one month’s supply of rice, maize, beans, cooking oil and sugar, as well as 1,000 rolls of toilet paper and 100 packs of adult diapers.  

Beyond the renovation work, the foundation’s contribution included procuring an Electroencephalogram (EEG) machine for the hospital, which Director of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital, Mr Kwadwo Marfo Obeng, described as “a groundbreaking advancement in treating severe mental health conditions.”  

The integration of EEG technology with Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) machines is expected to revolutionise the treatment of mental health conditions, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and new fathers dealing with postpartum depression or psychosis. 

“Traditionally, patients requiring treatment may have to wait up to a month for medication to stabilise their condition before they can safely breastfeed or care for their infants. But now the ECT can significantly reduce this waiting period to just one week, enabling families to reunite and heal more swiftly,” Mr Obeng explained.  

He further noted that the new equipment would allow patients to undergo procedures under anaesthesia while their brain activity was monitored through EEG technology.

“We are incredibly grateful for this support,” he added.  

Mental Health awareness through digital innovation
  
In addition to the hospital renovations, the KGL Foundation is promoting the Mental Health Index (MHI), a digital initiative launched in April 2023 to raise awareness, demystify myths and provide resources on mental health issues in Ghana.

The MHI has already been piloted in several second-cycle schools and offers free self-help activities through its website, www.mentalhealthindex.com.gh.  

Mr Obeng urged the foundation to develop the MHI into a mobile app to cater for younger generations, who are more inclined towards app-based access over traditional websites.  

This initiative is expected to significantly improve mental health services, reduce stigma and encourage more people to seek help, with the KGL Foundation demonstrating its unwavering commitment to transforming the mental health landscape in Ghana.