Bolgatanga, March 25,– The Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, has expressed deep concern over a sharp rise in mental health issues affecting both healthcare workers and the general population.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Performance Review Meeting, held under the theme, “Strengthening Health Systems for Sustainable and Equitable Access to Quality Health Care: The Role of Monitoring and Supportive Supervision,” Dr Abubakari described the trend as “alarming” and in urgent need of intervention.
He shared that suicide attempts increased from seven per 1,000 in 2024 to nine per 1,000 in 2025, while depression cases surged from 50 per 1,000,000 to 138 per 1,000,000—a nearly 176 per cent rise within the year.
To address the growing challenge among staff, the Regional Health Directorate has implemented support measures, including the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), encouraging colleagues to report abnormal behaviours early so interventions can be provided before issues escalate.
Dr Abubakari also urged the public to seek professional help promptly when noticing signs of mental distress or behavioral changes in family members, friends, or associates.
Highlighting a shift in management style, he noted the Directorate is moving away from “punitive, top-down inspections” toward a more collaborative approach to monitoring, aimed at boosting staff morale, strengthening health systems, and improving patient outcomes.
Despite persistent challenges such as personnel shortages and logistical constraints, Dr Abubakari reaffirmed the GHS’s commitment to supporting districts in building a robust, responsive healthcare system. He commended health workers for their dedication and the critical role they play in maintaining the region’s health indicators.
GHBUSS
March 25, 2026
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