In October 2023, the spillage of the Akosombo Dam brought about catastrophic flooding in some districts of the Eastern, Volta, and Better Accra areas, displacing thousands of of us and leaving a toddle of destruction. For many, the flood turned into bigger than a physical disaster—it turned into a profound emotional shock. Households wakened to fetch their homes submerged, their belongings destroyed, and their lives grew to transform upside down. The inability of homes, livelihood, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead created an overwhelming sense of fear and despair amongst the affected communities.
The psychological impact of the disaster turned into a ways-reaching. Youngsters struggled with the trauma of losing their safe areas, whereas oldsters battled emotions of helplessness as they confronted an unsure future. Health employees, many of whom maintain been also victims of the flood, chanced on themselves below giant stress to give care and enhance to others whereas going by intention of their very accumulate wound. For these with pre-present psychological medical conditions, the disaster worsened their struggles, and others began experiencing symptoms of fear, despair, and submit-irritating stress.
Public health emergencies cherish the floods attributable to the Akosombo dam spillage on the general inform a critical but omitted of such failures—the stress on psychological health. Left unaddressed, these challenges can hinder restoration efforts and move away prolonged-time period scars on the affected populations. Recognizing this, the World Health Group (WHO), with funding from UK in Ghana, stepped in to take care of the urgent need for psychological health and psychosocial enhance services and products.
Dr. Leveana Gyimah, Technical Officer for Mental Health at WHO, emphasised the importance of prioritizing psychological health in the end of public emergencies:
“Floods and other natural disasters don’t just destroy property—they leave deep emotional scars. The psychological impact can be long-lasting, affecting not just individuals but entire communities. By integrating mental health and psychosocial support into the flood response, we’ve been able to bring relief to those most affected and build the capacity of health workers to address these needs.”
Among the many numerous beneficiaries of this program turned into Richard Sedem Ahakutor, a psychological health nurse from Sogakope, who skilled psychological health challenges in the end of the disaster. “The flood was overwhelming. I lost everything, and at the same time, I was expected to help others cope. It became too much to handle. Thanks to the support I received through this intervention, I was able to get back on my feet and continue supporting my community,” he shared.
Dr. Senanu Kwesi Dzokoto, Volta Regional Director of Ghana Health Services, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative. He acknowledged, “Emergencies like this expose the gaps in our mental health support systems. WHO’s collaboration with the Mental Health Authority has allowed us to respond effectively to the needs of flood victims, ensuring that both residents and health workers receive the help they deserve. This intervention has been a critical step toward building a more resilient health system.”
To make certain that the affected americans received holistic care, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists maintain been deployed to give counseling and consultants psychiatrists services and products. Dr. Richard Dei-Asamoa, a clinical psychologist and psychiatrist at Korle-Bu Educating Health facility, reflected on the importance of psychological health services and products in disaster scenarios:
“Mental health is often overlooked during emergencies, but it is one of the most critical aspects of recovery. People need help to process their grief, anxiety, and trauma. This initiative has demonstrated how integrating mental health and psychosocial support services into disaster response can truly transform lives and communities.”
This collaborative effort has brought relief and hope to these tormented by the Akosombo floods, demonstrating that addressing psychological health is lawful as well-known as providing food, safe haven, and sanatorium remedy in the end of emergencies. Thanks to funding from UK in Ghana, the initiative has strengthened psychological health systems in the get aside, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of survivors and health employees alike.
For Extra Information or to Search information from Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Nation Put of job
Email: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393
