The regional youth authority of the Upper West region, is overly worried over the numerous mental cases among the youth. This concern was raised by the regional director Mr Mumuni Sulemana during the celebration of international youth day in Wa. The theme of the celebration was ‘Youth and Mental Health’.
The event which was aired live on a local radio station had Mr Illiasu Yussif Baaba the founder of Bahass founder take his turn to speak on mental health issues of the region. Bahass foundation is the lone foundation in the Upper West region which deals with mental patients.
Mr Illiasu expressed dismay at the fact that most of those with mental cases are below the age of thirtyfive. According to him, the use of illicit drugs like marijuana popularly known as wee and cocaine are the main cause of madness in the region. ‘If you say there is no cocaine in Wa it isn’t true. I know all the places they sell them. I’m ready to divulge this information to those who might need it.
He went ahead to lambast government on its neglect of the mentally challenged in the Upper West region. He stressed that government may be offering help to them elsewhere but not in the Upper West region.
The event was preceded by a health screening exercise which was organized under the auspices of NYA. A homecoming exercise was organized for medical doctors who hail from the region but work outside it. The medical screening was heavily patronized, which had some patrons turned back since they run short of medical materials
It was in the light of this that Mr Mumuni Sulemana bemoaned the lack of funding from various organizations.
Joseph Oswald Ali
Freelance Journalist
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