Francis Acquah
Chairman of the Board at Mental Health Foundation of Ghana, Australia
Title: Transforming Mental Health Services in Ghana: Blending traditional healing
Biography
Biography: Francis Acquah
Abstract
The West African country of Ghana is situated just north of the equator bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Ghana’s tropical beaches and picturesque countryside are starkly contrasted by the destitute and inhumane living environments of people living with mental health conditions who often find themselves subjected to archaic treatment regimes as articulated in the report “Like a Death Sentence”, Human Rights Watch (2012). rnThe MHFGH was formed as a direct result of this report and comprises mental health professionals and academics mainly based in the diaspora. It is a registered charity and contributes to government, community and private efforts to promote mental health and wellbeing, and reduce stigmatisation of mental illness in Ghana. rn