Mental Health Day 2026: Group demands immediate action on jobs, financing and inclusion of PWDs

As Ghana joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 World Mental Health Day, under theme “Lived Experiences Heard, Real Voices, Real Change”, the Ghana Alliance for Mental Health and Development also known as the Mental Health Alliance calls on Government of Ghana, relevant state and local authorities, development partners, civil society groups and the private sector to move beyond policy and promises, to deliver concrete actions on inclusive employment, sustainable mental health financing, and the elimination of stigma and discrimination against persons with lived experiences of mental health conditions and physical disability.

The Mental Health Alliance emphasises that persons with physical disabilities and persons with lived experience of mental health conditions must have equal opportunities to work, access to quality support services, and be supported to participate fully in society.

Following a two-day convening under the joint auspices of ADD International and BasicNeeds-Ghana to reflect on findings of a two-country research project on disability inclusion activism commissioned and funded by ADD International, the Mental Health Alliance has outlined four priority areas requiring urgent attention on this special day dedicated to mental health.

Inclusive Employment and Livelihoods The Mental Health Alliance proposes 5% employment quota in local government staffing reserved for persons with disabilities. This should be backed by clear implementation and monitoring procedures. Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are called upon to strictly apply the 5% District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to improve employable skills development and income generation activities of persons with physical, mental and psychosocial disabilities. Similarly, we call for increased employment of persons with disability, especially young people and females in the corporate and private sectors. These will be realised if the Ghana Labour Law and Disability Law are fully implemented.

Sustainable Mental Health Financing While the Mental Health Alliance commends Government of Ghana for including four mental health conditions on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), we call on Government to significantly improve financing for mental health through actualising the Mental Health Fund and adequately resourcing it through domestic resource mobilisation. Doing this will bring about full implementation of the Mental Health Law.

Ending Stigma and Discrimination The Mental Health Alliance calls for everything to be done to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities. Individuals, families, communities, including traditional authorities, faith leaders, influencers as well as institutions must work individually and collectively to challenge social stigma, prejudice, stereotypes, discrimination, and to actively promote their inclusion and participation in socio-economic, civic, and political activities.

In particular, people with disabilities and lived experience of mental health conditions must be included as key decision-makers in designing programmes and services planned to support them. 4. Responsible Media and Public Accountability The media bears a special responsibility in addressing social stigma and is urged to adopt respectful language, protect the dignity and privacy of persons with lived experience, and move beyond sensationalism to responsible, rights-based reporting. Partnerships with civil society and the Creative Industry could support documentaries, short films and public education campaigns that challenge stigma, and hold institutions accountable for their commitments.

A Call for Measurable Results

The Mental Health Alliance calls on the Ministry of Finance, the Administrator of the DACF and MMDAs to strengthen transparency in disability-related funding; relevant local government institutions to operationalise inclusive employment measures; and national planning and employment agencies to integrate disability and mental health inclusion into development programmes.

Development partners, foundations and private businesses are encouraged to invest in inclusive employment, community-based mental health services, legal accountability and sustained anti-stigma campaigns. “We cannot continue to celebrate commitments while people remain excluded from jobs, essential services and decisions that affect their lives. Inclusion must be reflected in budgets, employment opportunities, accessible services and measurable results,” the Mental Health Alliance stated.

The Mental Health Alliance further insists that persons with disabilities and persons with lived experience of mental health conditions must not merely be consulted, but must meaningfully influence the policies, programmes and resources intended to support them. As Ghana commemorates World Mental Health Day, the Alliance calls on all stakeholders to turn commitments into action and build a society where mental health is valued, human rights are protected, and no one is left behind because of disability or a mental health condition.