In October 2023, the spillage of the Akosombo Dam triggered catastrophic flooding in some districts of the Jap, Volta, and Bigger Accra regions, displacing hundreds of oldsters and leaving a path of destruction. For many, the flood was once better than a bodily pain—it was once a profound emotional shock. Households wakened to search out their properties submerged, their assets destroyed, and their lives turned the other diagram up. The lack of properties, livelihood, and the uncertainty of what lay forward created an overwhelming sense of dread and despair among the affected communities.
The psychological affect of the pain was once far-reaching. Children struggled with the trauma of losing their obtain spaces, whereas oldsters battled emotions of helplessness as they confronted an dangerous future. Scientific examiners, many of whom had been additionally victims of the flood, found themselves below huge power to present care and crimson meat up to others whereas dealing with their enjoy damage. For those with pre-gift psychological health stipulations, the pain worsened their struggles, and others started experiencing signs of dread, despair, and put up-anxious stress.
Public health emergencies care for the floods triggered by the Akosombo dam spillage generally expose a primary but lost sight of final consequence of such disasters—the flexibility on psychological health. Left unaddressed, these challenges can hinder restoration efforts and trot away prolonged-time frame 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 want for psychological health and psychosocial crimson meat up products and companies.
Dr. Leveana Gyimah, Technical Officer for Mental Health at WHO, emphasised the importance of prioritizing psychological health at some stage in 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 a kind of beneficiaries of this program was once Richard Sedem Ahakutor, a psychological health nurse from Sogakope, who skilled psychological health challenges at some stage within the pain. “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 Companies and products, highlighted the broader affect 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 guarantee that the affected folk bought holistic care, medical psychologists and psychiatrists had been deployed to present counseling and consultants psychiatrists products and companies. Dr. Richard Dei-Asamoa, a medical psychologist and psychiatrist at Korle-Bu Teaching Scientific institution, reflected on the importance of psychological health products and companies in pain eventualities:
“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 introduced reduction and hope to those plagued by the Akosombo floods, demonstrating that addressing psychological health is upright as primary as providing meals, shelter, and health facility treatment at some stage in emergencies. Thanks to funding from UK in Ghana, the initiative has reinforced psychological health methods within the sphere, leaving an enduring affect on the lives of survivors and medical examiners alike.
For Further Information or to Question Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Country Dwelling of enterprise
Electronic mail: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393
