Research findings by Basic Needs, an NGO shows that about 98.5% cent of government funding and resource allocation to mental health services in 2018 was spent on payment of staff emolument.
It further disclosed that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies failed to include mental health issues on their priority list and Internally Generated Funds (IGF) was the main mode of financing non-remunerative expenditure such as logistics, mental health services and governance among others.
The findings which were made known in Bolgatanga at a forum with the media, is part of STAR-Ghana Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) initiative.
The research conducted in 30 districts from five regions — Greater Accra, Brong-Ahafo, Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions, understudied the resourcing avenues for community-based mental health care in Ghana.
It advocated increase in budgetary allocations for mental health care services, improved quality and access to mental health care services, at the district and community levels leading to improvement in the health of persons with mental illness including epilepsy in Ghana.
Speaking at the dissemination forum, the Knowledge Management and Communications Officer at Basic Needs Ghana, Fred Nantogmah said there is 97% funding gap for community-based health services.
He said the attainment of all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) largely depends on the mental health of the people and called on government and other stakeholders to strategically invest in community-based mental health services.
Mr. Nantogmah explained that most of the problems confronting the country is as a result of the attitudes of the people, which is a function of mental health adding that there is the need for stakeholders to view mental health issues as a collective responsibility.
