The President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has led members of the association to donate assorted items to the Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, as part of activities marking this year’s Mother’s Day celebrations.
The donation, organised by the GBA Women’s Forum, together with the Greater Accra Regional Bar, formed part of the association’s annual outreach programme aimed at supporting vulnerable groups in society.
Speaking during the presentation at the hospital, on Thursday, Mrs. Ghartey said the gesture was intended to demonstrate that the legal profession was not only about court appearances and legal advocacy, but also about compassion and giving back to society.
“We want to showcase that the Ghana Bar Association is not all about law, being in court and making statements on matters of national concern, but also that we have a human face,” she said, adding “the human face is to give to the vulnerable, to support those in need and to support institutions that care for them,” she added.
She explained that various regional bar associations across the country had been undertaking charitable activities to commemorate Mother’s Day, including donations to orphanages, hospitals and children’s homes.
According to her, the Greater Accra Bar chose Pantang Psychiatric Hospital this year because of the important role the institution plays in caring for vulnerable women with mental health conditions.
Mrs. Ghartey said members of the Bar enthusiastically contributed towards the exercise, with both the national leadership and individual lawyers donating items.
The items presented included cooking oil, tomato paste, canned fish, spaghetti, toiletries, tooth paste, bathing soap, sanitary towels, bottled water and cash donations.
“It has been exciting that not only individual members have donated items, but the National Bar and the Greater Accra Bar have also contributed. Quite a number of people have chipped in to make this year’s donation one of a kind,” she stated.
She noted that the association hoped to build a long-term collaboration with the hospital to better understand its needs and offer support where possible.
Receiving the items on behalf of the hospital, the Medical Director of Pantang Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Yennusom Maalug, commended the GBA for the initiative and praised Mrs. Ghartey on becoming the first female president of the association.
He described women as an important but vulnerable group in society, particularly regarding mental health challenges associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
“This year, the Mental Health Authority has dedicated the month of May to mental health awareness under what we call Purple Month,” he said.
He explained that this year’s theme focuses on mental well-being, awareness and compassion, with special attention on maternal mental health issues.
Dr. Maalug also highlighted the hospital’s numerous operational challenges, revealing that many of its facilities were over 50 years old and in poor condition.
He said the hospital currently has over 150 inpatients, with nearly half unable to pay for treatment.
According to him, some patients abandoned by their families have stayed at the hospital for between 10 and 20 years, forcing the institution to bear the cost of feeding, medication and general care.
He appealed for further support in areas such as mattresses, television sets and recreational facilities to improve the comfort and well-being of patients.
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