Smiling, I accepted the bag and handed her the money.
"Thank you," we said in unison. I gave her one last smile, turned, and left.
It was a good day. The sky was a wonderful azure blue. It was cloudless, allowing the morning sun's rays to beat down gently on me.
I gaily tottered along the sidewalk, basking in the lovely warmth.
All around me, people were walking, making their way to one place or the other. I found myself people-watching, imagining the lives of those who passed me by.
Apparently, I wasn't watching well enough.
I felt a sudden jerk on my arm as someone grabbed the bag and twisted it. I instinctively yanked and twisted in response. I felt the bag stretch and tear. I stumbled back, suddenly free of the opposing force.
Regaining my footing, I turned and faced my assailant, ready for conflict.
I paused.
A decrepit old woman stood in front of me. Her unkempt hair was a sickly gray and locked in impossible knots. She wore no shoes and had on a simple, faded black dress which was littered with holes. She held the polyethylene bag clutched tightly to her chest. Her posture screamed terror. She stood hunched, her right shoulder turned towards me, and tensed as if anticipating a blow. She trembled slightly, eyes darting between me and the ground.
I felt my prior indignation slowly melt away, replaced by gnawing sadness.
She was mentally ill.
I could see it in her mannerisms. She had likely been rejected by her family and left to fend for herself, homeless and alone, subject to the elements.
In my country, such people are a common sight in urban areas.
Abodamfo, they're called. "Mad people."
They represent a failure of our society and nation; a failure in which I am an active participant.
I watched sorrowfully as the woman shuffled away. Spectators had gathered around to watch. I could tell some of them were watching to see if I would retaliate.
How could I?
I walked away. The lovely morning sun was now far from my thoughts. Instead, my thoughts were on the woman and her kindred, and their unfortunate plight.
How could we solve this issue?
The first step in solving a problem is recognizing that there is a problem?
That's the first issue. I searched for statistics to back what I've seen with my eyes, but the statistics are either nonexistent or very difficult to find. The homeless are not included in census counts.
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection estimates that there are around 100,000 homeless people in Ghana. This includes all the homeless, so I cannot estimate the specific numbers of mentally challenged individuals.
I did confirm some details though:
Detail 1:
It is an urban problem. The only time I have seen these wandering "mad" men and women is when I am in urban cities. I personally haven't ever seen any when I got to rural centers. There are many reasons why this may be the case
- Urban migration: Many people migrate to cities in search of better opportunities but face major challenges and insufficient social support systems. The resulting stress can lead to mental health issues and homelessness
- Substance abuse: Substance abuse may be more prominent in urban areas due to easier access to drugs and alcohol. This can exacerbate homelessness and mental health challenges.
- Greater opportunities for survival: Interestingly, urban centers may offer more opportunities for survival for homeless and mentally ill people through begging or access to leftover food from markets or restaurants
Detail 2:
There are not enough mental health professionals in Ghana. It is estimated that there are 0.7 mental health professionals per 100,000 people in Ghana. This is woefully inadequate. As of 2024, there are only 18 psychiatrists in the entire nation.
Thankfully, there are some efforts underway to address this crisis. The WHO has a special initiative for mental health, and more facilities are being approved for the training of mental health professionals
So what can we do as individuals?
1. Educate yourself:
Learn about the situation. Learn about mental health disorders. These are sick people who need help. Learning is the first step in figuring out how to help. Share this knowledge in your communities, workplace and social circles.
2. Advocate
Use your social media to bring awareness to the issues at hand and appeal for stakeholder intervention. Reach out to leaders to advocate for better funding and infrastructure for policy change.
3. Volunteer
Seek out opportunities to volunteer. Check out WHO and UN websites for opportunities. Consider starting something with your friends including small donation drives for food, clothing, and hygiene products.
4. Be kind
Hold love in your heart. Do not jump to conclusions. Do not join in the voices condemning the unfortunate.
What am I going to do?
I plan to volunteer where possible and look into starting a clothing drive to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves.
References
1. WHO | REGIONAL OFFICE FOR AFRICA, Mental health challenges in Ghana,
ps://www.afro.who.int/countries/ghana/news/sustaining-mental-health-agenda-ghana).
2. PULSE GHANA - Breaking the Silence: A call to action for Ghana's mental health crisis](https://www.pulse.com.gh/news/local/breaking-the-silence-a-call-to-action-for-ghanas-mental-health-crisis/gmxnkfv).
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