The Chief Executive Officer of The Willingway Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC) at Ejisu-Asawase in the Ashanti region, Lydia Abena Manu Adofo, has observed that the rising mental health statistics in Ghana should not be misconstrued as a sudden epidemic of mental illness, but rather as a positive outcome of sustained education and sensitization efforts that are encouraging more people to seek professional help.
For decades, she explained, stigma, misconceptions that mental illness was spiritual, and lack of information kept thousands of patients at home, in prayer camps, or on the streets, leaving health facilities with artificially low numbers.
However, recent intensive public education has changed the narrative.
Mrs. Lydia Abena Manu Adofo made the remarks when the facility’s executive management hosted retired US-based Ghanaian land-use planner and worldbeat music producer Dr. Kofi Newman, popularly known by his pen name Prof. Lungu, a long-time supporter of the centre.
Mrs. Lydia Abena noted the country is reaping the benefits of years of advocacy by mental health professionals, NGOs and the media.
“Looking at statistics from 2018, cases are rising over the years. People were not coming out for treatment, but through education and sensitization programmes that we were doing, they started going for treatment. Even though the cases are rising, we are happy because in previous years they were not coming out for treatment, so we didn’t have much data, but now they are coming,” she said.
She noted that the development allows for better planning and resource allocation, as the true burden of mental illness is now becoming visible.
Despite the positive trend in health-seeking behaviour, Mrs. Adofo expressed deep concern about the profile of cases her centre receives.
She revealed that substance abuse remains one of the major causes of mental health cases recorded at his facility, with most cases diagnosed as drug-related psychosis.
The victims, she said, are predominantly young men who have abused tramadol, cannabis (wee), cocaine, and other synthetic drugs.
She warned that the trend is a ticking time bomb for national development, as it is stripping the country of its productive youth.
“My advice to the youth is that they should completely stay away from drugs because it will end their careers and it will end their dreams. If they don’t stay away from drugs, the drugs will end their careers, end their dreams, and they will end up in the streets,” she cautioned.
She called on parents, schools, religious bodies and community leaders to intensify drug prevention education and to create safe spaces for young people to discuss their challenges.
She stressed that mental health conditions are treatable and that seeking early professional intervention remains the critical first step to recovery.
The Willingway’s CEO used the occasion to make a passionate appeal to government to make rehabilitation services accessible to all Ghanaians by establishing at least one public rehabilitation centre and psychiatric hospital in each of the 16 regions.
She lamented that patients in the Ashanti Region and the entire northern sector currently have to travel long distances to Pantang Hospital, Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital or Accra Psychiatric Hospital to access rehabilitation services after initial treatment.
The cost of transportation, feeding, and accommodation for caregivers, she noted, discourages many families from completing the treatment process, leading to relapse.
“The rehab should be so accessible. We should have some in all the regions. At least one in a region will help the people who are using drugs. If you have it here in Kumasi, you have to go to Pantang, Ankaful or Accra Psychiatric, but if we have a government rehab in the Ashanti Region, it will be so easy for the boys to get treatment,” she said.
Mrs. Adofo argued that regional rehabilitation centres would not only reduce the financial burden on families but also ensure continuity of care, community reintegration and strong family support systems, which are critical to full recovery.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Kofi Newman (Prof. Lungu) commended Willingway for its contribution to mental health care in the Ashanti Region, but highlighted the wide gap between mental health treatment systems in developed countries, especially the United States, and that of Ghana.
He noted that while the US has a more decentralized, well-funded system with community-based rehab centres, insurance coverage for mental health, and strong aftercare structures, Ghana still struggles with limited facilities, inadequate staffing, and low investment.
He observed that in Ghana, most patients are forced to travel long distances for care, families bear the full cost of treatment, and aftercare is almost non-existent, increasing the rate of relapse.
Dr. Newman called for increased government investment in mental health infrastructure, staffing and logistics, as well as strategic partnerships with private rehabilitation centres like Willingway to bridge the gap in service delivery.
“Willingway is doing its part, but it cannot do it alone. Mental health is health, and it deserves the same attention we give to physical health,” he stressed.
He called for stronger public-private partnerships and diaspora involvement in bridging the mental health care gap.
The visit culminated in an awards presentation in recognition of commitment to mental health advocacy.
The Executive Management of Willingway Recovery Center presented a citation of honour to Dr. Kofi Newman for his continuous dedication and contributions to the facility and his advocacy for improved mental health care in Ghana over the past decade.
In return, Dr. Newman also presented a special award to the CEO of Willingway, Mrs. Lydia Abena Manu Adofo, in recognition of her dedication, sacrifice, and leadership in providing rehabilitation services and hope to persons living with mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Both parties pledged to deepen collaboration to promote mental health awareness and expand access to rehabilitation services in the country.