VINT & Aletheia, Attorneys and Consultants, has announced a significant intervention to improve the Special Ward of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital into Ghana’s first Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
The initiative, spearheaded by the firm’s mental health CSR platform, “The Wholesome Mind Xperience”, is committing GH₵4 million to renovate critical wards that have long lacked the essential systems for dignified patient care.
Speaking at the official commencement ceremony on Monday, November 24, 2025, Managing Attorney Lady-Ann Essuman expressed profound gratitude to partners, donors, and stakeholders whose support, she said, had made the project possible.
She noted that the initiative was driven by the urgent need to transform facilities that have, for years, struggled to provide effective and humane mental health services.
According to her, the wards scheduled for renovation are in dire condition, lacking the basic resources required to create a safe, respectful, and healing environment for patients. She described the project as a necessary step toward restoring dignity to mental health care in the country.
“We are gathered here because the reality before us is undeniable. This renovation allows us to build spaces that are environmentally safe, comfortable, and truly conducive to patient recovery,” she stated.
Lady-Ann Essuman revealed that with just ten per cent of the funds already mobilised, contractors have assured that the dining area of the Special Ward can be completed within the approved timeline. She highlighted the success of the fundraising efforts that made the initial commitment possible, saying she was proud to have led a network that rallied support for such a critical cause.
“This hall will no longer serve as a neglected basement. It will be rebuilt into a compassionate space—one that reflects our belief that access to quality mental health care is a fundamental human right,” she said.
She emphasised that the project was not merely about infrastructure, but about restoring dignity, hope, and well-being to every patient who will use the facility. She reaffirmed VINT & Aletheia’s commitment to advancing mental health care in Ghana, describing the renovation as a first but significant step.
Lady-Ann further called on corporate Ghana, community groups, institutions, and individuals to support the initiative through funding, partnerships, or advocacy.
“Together, we can ensure that this effort reaches its fullest and most impactful potential,” she said, appealing for collective involvement to guarantee the sustainability and success of the renovation.
Rationale Behind Efforts
Lady-Ann Essuman also outlined the motivation behind the firm’s ambitious effort to renovate key mental health wards in Ghana, describing the project as a mission rooted in dignity, compassion, and the urgent need for better care systems.
Lady-Ann explained that her determination stemmed from real-life encounters with clients and community members who faced challenging mental health situations without adequate support.
“As an attorney, I have seen people suffer—not just legally, but emotionally and mentally,” she said. “One of our clients had to travel all the way to London simply to obtain a police report. It made me realise that there are deep gaps in our society, especially around mental health.”
She recounted how her team first became aware of the dire conditions of some facilities, including areas behind their own office. What they found, she said, was heartbreaking.
“We saw the state of the wards and noticed how many people with mental health conditions were living in deplorable environments. It was clear that something needed to be done. This is what motivated us to begin raising funds to support meaningful renovation and transformation.”
So far, VINT & Aletheia has committed an initial GH₵4 million to the project. Through fundraising efforts, they have already secured an additional GH₵400,000, including GH₵200,000 from a single family.
“These funds will allow us to begin work on the dining area and one of the wards,” she noted. “Our goal is to continue raising more resources so we can complete the project and bring the entire facility up to a standard that truly supports healing.
Lady-Ann stressed that mental health conditions are universal and can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or social status. Because of this, she believes improving these facilities is not just a charitable gesture but a national responsibility.
“You don’t want people with mental health conditions to feel like they are living in a prison. They don’t get better in such environments. A hospital should not feel like a place of confinement. Creating dignified, humane spaces is essential for the entire community,” she said
She called on corporate Ghana, civil society, families, and individuals to join the initiative, emphasising that collaboration is the most powerful tool for change.
“There is so much power in working together. When we pool our resources, we can deliver a different level of impact—not just for Ghana, but as an example for the African continent. Mental health is not something the government alone can fix. Any of us can be affected, directly or indirectly. That is why every Ghanaian should join us in making this difference,” she added.
