In a statement signed by Yaro Badimak Peter, the National Convener, prayed the President “to direct the immediate release of funds to cater for the needs of the hospital so that it can continue treatment of patients.”

Nurses at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital declared an indefinite strike on Monday, October 31 following what they said was “government’s failure to provide the facility with the basic logistics needed to carry out their work effectively.”

“We also encourage the staff of the hospital to be open-minded and work with the government toward finding a lasting solution to this problem,” the statement said.GHAMHA is requesting the Ministry of Health, the Attorney General’s Department, the Health Select Committee of Parliament and the entire legislative body to immediately have the Legislative Instrument approved for effective implementation of provisions of the mental health Act, 2012 (Act 846).

The statement called on the staff and management of the Psychiatric Hospital to be “open-minded and work with the government towards finding a lasting solution to this recurring problem.” It urged health policy authorities, particularly, the regional and district health management teams of the Ghana Health Service, medical directors and health administrators to establish Community Psychiatric Units (CPUs).

“We also call on them to expedite the deployment of mental health care professionals to the CPUs to provide the needed services in an efficient manner.“We entreat district, municipal and metropolitan assemblies to extend investments towards creating and resourcing the community psychiatric units to run mental health care facilities in their jurisdictions,” the statement said.

It also called on families to “live up to their responsibilities toward relatives with psycho-social needs and support them in their treatment.”