KUMASI MAYOR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTHCARE AT KOMFO ANOKYE TEACHING HOSPITAL
The Mayor of Kumasi, Hon. Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadu, has pledged his commitment to equipping and supporting the Mental Health Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), citing the pressing need for improved resources to enhance mental healthcare delivery in the region.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Purple Month celebration under the theme, “Mental Wellbeing: My Voice Matters”, Hon. Ofori Agyemang Boadu said, “During my tenure as the Mayor of Kumasi, I will make sure to help and equip the Mental Health Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital because they lack some necessary resources, which makes mental health care very difficult.”
He stressed the significance of mental health in shaping societal outcomes, noting that, “Our psyche towards the environment and work output all emanate from sound mental being, so I believe that supporting the Unit will ignite some energy on how to manage mental health and will automatically enhance productivity.”
The Purple Month celebration, which spans the month of May, aims to raise awareness about mental health and to promote a sense of community support and wellbeing. It also focuses on empowering individuals to speak up and seek help.
Dr. Pearl Adu Nyarko, a Psychologist and Chief Resident at KATH, highlighted the key focus for this year’s campaign. “We want to highlight the challenges that people, families, and society with mental illness face in dealing with mental health and talk about what needs to be done—so that’s what we are basically focusing on this year,” she stated.
Adding his voice, the Kumasi Pampasohene, Nana Gyamfi Kumanini III, who was the guest of honour, noted the role of economic and social pressures in rising mental health cases.
“The everyday lifestyle has also contributed to the high level of mental health issues because one will have to think about their wellbeing, especially when they don’t have what it takes to live life comfortably,” he said, urging people to take their health seriously.
The event underscored the vital role community and institutional support play in promoting mental wellness and called on stakeholders to prioritise mental health as a crucial component of public health.
