Managing Director of Labadi Beach Hotel, David Eduaful, has called for a national awakening on mental health, describing it as a critical issue that requires urgent and collective attention.
In an interview with the media during the Wholesome Mind Summit 2025 at the hotel on Friday, October 10, 2025, Mr. Eduaful underscored the importance of destigmatizing mental health and treating it with the same seriousness accorded to physical illnesses.
According to him, the summit came at a timely moment when society must begin to engage openly on matters affecting mental well-being. “It couldn’t have been at a better time. Mental health is becoming a serious issue, and the more we embrace and talk about it, the better for all of us, because we are all in this together”, he added.
Mr. David Eduaful expressed concern about the rising cases of stress, depression, and other psychological challenges in workplaces and communities. He urged Ghanaians to move away from cultural and spiritual misinterpretations of mental health conditions and to recognize them as medical concerns that require proper attention and treatment. “Sometimes we look at it and attribute mental health to some spirits or whatever, but mental health goes beyond that,” he said. “It’s like having malaria—when you have malaria, you go for treatment.
In the same way, when we go through stress and pressure, we must learn how to take care of ourselves so we don’t fall into that category.”
The Labadi Beach Hotel boss revealed that his organization has made employee well-being a central pillar of its corporate culture. He said the hotel’s partnership with the Wholesome Mind initiative stems from its commitment to holistic wellness and sustainable workforce development. “We are very serious about this at Labadi Beach Hotel,” he emphasized. “Every Monday and Wednesday, we have wellness sessions for our team members—yoga, aerobics, and educational talks on mental health. We also invite doctors for screening and health education.”
He further explained that these activities are designed to ensure that every member of the Labadi Beach Hotel team—himself included—understands the importance of mental health and maintains a balanced life. “If you don’t take care of yourself, eventually your mental health will take care of you, and everything you’ve worked for becomes zero,” he cautioned.
Mr. David Eduaful highlighted that such initiatives not only enhance productivity but also promote compassion and teamwork within organizations. “Your staff are your assets,” he said. “Without the staff, you have nothing. That is why we take very serious care of our team members. Partnering with Wholesome Minds allows us to reach a bigger audience and help others understand why mental health matters.”
He further urged other employers and institutions to follow suit, integrating mental wellness programmes into their workplace cultures to foster healthier, happier, and more productive citizens. “We are not in this alone. It could be your uncle, your auntie, your child, or anyone close to you. The fact that it’s not talked about daily is not helping. That is why this summit is so important—to remind us that mental health affects us all,” he added.
