Chief Justice calls for mental health support systems in Ghanaian workplaces

Ghana's Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has issued a powerful call for employers and public institutions to establish workplace cultures that prioritise mental health support and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. Speaking at the 2026 World Mental Health Day celebration held at the Court Complex in Accra, the Chief Justice stressed that mental well-being must be treated as a fundamental component of healthy, productive workplaces where employees can seek help openly.

The event, jointly organised by the Greater Accra Regional Health Service and the Judicial Service of Ghana, brought together stakeholders under the theme "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change." Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah, a Supreme Court Judge, delivered the Chief Justice's address, emphasising that mental health discussions must move beyond abstract statistics to centre the real experiences of those struggling with psychological challenges.

Creating supportive workplace cultures

Chief Justice Baffoe-Bonnie outlined concrete steps employers should take to support staff mental health. He urged institutions to develop comprehensive policies that prioritise employee welfare and make professional mental healthcare more accessible. Crucially, he stressed that seeking mental health support should never be viewed as a weakness or grounds for discrimination and exclusion.

The Chief Justice called on employers to sustain ongoing conversations about mental health, foster peer support among colleagues, and actively encourage staff to seek professional help when needed. He highlighted the importance of workplace screening programmes that detect chronic medical conditions and mental health challenges early, enabling timely intervention and prevention.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana faces a significant mental health burden, with limited access to psychological services for many citizens. Workplace mental health remains largely taboo across many Ghanaian institutions, with employees often reluctant to disclose struggles due to fear of stigma, career damage or exclusion. The Chief Justice's intervention is notable because it comes from the highest judicial authority, sending a message that prioritising mental health is not merely a welfare issue but essential to institutional effectiveness.

The Judicial Service itself operates in high-stress environments where staff regularly confront conflict, trauma, crime and family disputes. By acknowledging that judicial officers face significant psychological demands, the Chief Justice legitimises mental health challenges across all professional sectors in Ghana. His call for systemic change—moving from sympathy to actionable support—represents a significant shift in how Ghana's institutions approach employee well-being.

For many Ghanaian workplaces where mental health remains invisible or stigmatised, this public statement from the nation's top judicial officer provides moral authority and practical direction. With many Ghanaians still relying on informal support systems or avoiding professional help due to cultural or institutional barriers, workplace policies that actively encourage mental health support could significantly expand access to care.

Key recommendations for employers

• Develop and implement mental health policies that protect employee confidentiality and prevent discrimination
• Establish regular health screening that includes mental health assessments for early detection
• Create peer support networks and encourage colleagues to support one another
• Partner with professional mental health providers to make counselling and treatment accessible to staff

The Chief Justice's call reflects growing global recognition that mental health is integral to workplace productivity and employee retention. For Ghana's justice system and broader public sector, translating these words into concrete workplace reforms could set a precedent for how other institutions approach their staff's psychological well-being.