Prof. E.F.B Forster Public Lecture Series On Mental Health

On the 30th August 2023, the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, in collaboration with the Mental Health Authority (MHA) and Janssen, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and with support from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the World Health Organization (WHO) organized the inaugural Prof. E.F.B. Forster Public Lecture Series on the theme “Ten Years of The Mental Health Act: Measuring Impact.”

The lecture featured remarks from Estelle Appiah, Board Chair, MHA, and Professor Kwaku Appiah-Adu, Senior Advisor, Vice President’s Secretariat, Office of the President of Ghana. Dr. Nana Adobea Brown, Psychiatrist at Accra Psychiatric Hospital, gave a profile of Professor E.F.B. Forster, highlighting his transformative impact and legacy in mental health care in Ghana.

Prof. Sammy Ohene, Chairman of the Ghana & West Africa Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, delivered the inaugural Prof. E.F.B. Forster Public Lecture on the theme, “Ten Years of the Mental Health Act: Measuring The Impact.” He provided a historical background of mental disorders and their treatment, the importance of mental health laws, the evolution of mental health legislation in Ghana, and the Mental Health Act 2012 (Act 846) and its key provisions.

He also highlighted the state of Ghana’s mental health sector after the Mental Health Act 2012 (Act 846) had been enacted, with specific emphasis on policy and administration, human rights, community care, human resources, integration of services, and funding.

The event featured a panel moderated by Rev. Prof. Joseph Osafo, Centre for Ageing Studies, on “The Impact of the Mental Health Act.” The panelists comprised Prof. Sammy Ohene, Chairman of the Ghana & West Africa Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons; Prof. Kwasi Osei, Accra Psychiatric Hospital; Dr. Divine Ndonbi Banyubala, Registrar, Ghana Medical And Dental Council; Dr. Anthony Ofosu, Deputy Director General, Ghana Health Service; Mr. Peter Yaro, Executive Director, BasicNeeds Ghana; Dr. James Duah, Deputy Executive Director, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG); Susan Adwoa Mensah, Social Development Adviser, United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK-FCDO); and Mr. Henry Osei-Agyekum, Country Manager at The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

Prof. Pinaman Appau, CEO of MHA, articulated her vision for the MHA and the strategies to achieve this vision. After her speech, the Management and Board of the MHA presented a lifetime achievement award to Professor Joseph Bediako Asare in recognition of his exceptional accomplishments and significant contributions to mental health care practice and training.

There were solidarity messages from Ikechukwu Ofuani, Director of Government Affairs and Policy at Johnson & Johnson, and Dr. Henry Lawson, Vice Rector at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, as well as an address from the Ministry of Health (MoH) delivered by Alhaji Hafiz Adam, Chief Director, MoH.

Platinum Member : Johnson & Johnson Medical Joins AmCham

The Johnson & Johnson Medical Companies which offers the world’s largest range of consumer healthcare products joins AmCham Ghana as platinum members. Their baby care, skin care, oral care, wound care, over-the-counter and women’s health products feature brands trusted by consumers and healthcare professionals worldwide.

Having made significant contributions to surgery for more than a century, the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies are in the business of reaching more patients and restoring more lives. The group represents the most comprehensive surgical technology and specialty solutions business in the world, offering an unparalleled breadth of products, services, programs and research and development capabilities directed at advancing patient care while delivering clinical and economic value to health care systems worldwide.

From the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO), their approach is reinforced by a cutting-edge single medical safety standard to which all of their products are held. The OCMO takes an evidence- and science-based, ethics- and values-driven approach to medical safety—with an emphasis on transparency.

The Johnson & Johnson Company in 2017 opened a new office in Ghana. The newly established West Africa Regional Operations in collaboration with local health delivery partners will tackle emerging health priorities in West Africa.

Priscilla Owusu-Sekyere, Country Manager of the Johnson & Johnson office in Accra hinted the office will help improve the quality and access to health care in West Africa.

Johnson & Johnson’s office in Ghana will help coordinate the company’s global public health capabilities and resources to deliver a sustainable, measurable impact against significant public health needs in the region. The team in Ghana will translate the company’s strategy into locally-executable programs that drive health impact in collaboration with local health delivery partners. Business development teams from Johnson & Johnson companies will also collaborate with academic centers and entrepreneurs to explore local innovative healthcare-based initiatives. Learn more

AmCham Ghana is pleased to have the Johnson & Johnson Medical Companies in its fold as they work to provide the best of healthcare for the people of Ghana and West Africa.