BasicNeeds-Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has revealed that local assemblies have consistently failed to include mental health issues in their top priority list.

According to research conducted by the NGO in 2018, due to lack of resources, delivery of effective mental health services has been essentially low to non-existent in rural communities in the country.

Local assemblies, according to the NGO’s findings, contribute only some 0.7 per cent to mental health issues in their communities.

Though about 98.5 per cent of their funds was spent on staff emoluments and capacity building.

According to BasicNeeds-Ghana, out of the over GH¢1.5million that was allocated to community-based mental health services in the districts, government was the highest contributor of about GH¢1.3 million among other partners.

Speaking to the media at a forum in Tamale, Northern Region, Knowledge Management and Communications Officer at BasicNeeds Ghana, Fred Nantongmah, said the findings show that there is a 97 per cent gap in resources needed to effectively ensure access to mental healthcare in the rural communities.

Logistics, transportation and medical supplies among others, are resources lacking in rural communities which affect the effective delivery of mental health services.

The study was carried out in 15 districts in five regions in the country; Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo and Greater Accra.

It formed part of the NGO's Accessible and Quality Mental Health Care for Poor and Marginalised Persons with Mental Disabilities Project.

Mr Nantongmah said that many of the districts covered did not have full complements of staff needed to effectively deliver care in the communities.

The study was funded by Star-Ghana and supported by NORSAAC, Mental Health Society of Ghana, and Centre for People's Empowerment and Rights Initiative, among others.

Data from the World Health Organisation indicates that the country had a 98 per cent gap in mental health treatment, hence the NGO’s appeal to government to prioritise delivery of mental health services.

Thus, BasicNeeds-Ghana urges government to improve on community-based mental healthcare delivery by prioritising resource allocation.