The Volta Regional Branch of the Alliance for Mental Health and Development has been launched in Ho.

The Alliance is made up of representatives of Civil Society Organizations, interest groups, and relevant government institutions including the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and the media.

The Alliance for Mental Health and Development is a network of CSOs, NGOs, and CBOs, across eight regions in Ghana, and it is spearheaded by BasicNeeds Ghana. 

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director of VOICE Ghana, Francis Asong, explained that the Volta Alliance is a platform with a core mandate to discuss and shape mental health policies, legislation and a conducive environment for people with mental health conditions and psychosocial disabilities in the region. 

He also hinted that the Oti Regional Branch of the Alliance will be established by September 2021, as part of their project. 

The Alliance was inaugurated by the Volta Regional Mental Health Coordinator of the Ghana Health Service, Courage Ahorlu-Dzage,

It is expected that the newly launched alliance champions issues of mental health and psychosocial disability, human rights, and inclusion of people with mental health conditions and psychosocial disability in public health policy and services.

The Volta Regional Alliance was spearheaded by VOICE Ghana as part of its ongoing project in the Volta and Oti Regions to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities and mental health conditions. 

The project is being funded by the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie, which is a four-year disability programme in Ghana, with a specific focus on mental health.

The programme is funded by UK aid from the UK government and is run by an Options’ led consortium, which also consists of BasicNeeds, Ghana, Kings College London, Sightsavers International, and Tropical Health.