Chief Justice urges employers to tackle mental health stigma in workplaces

Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has urged employers and public institutions to prioritize mental well-being by fostering work environments where individuals can seek professional help without fear of judgment or discrimination. The Chief Justice emphasized that stigma and the fear of exclusion often prevent people experiencing mental health challenges from openly sharing their struggles, necessitating workplaces to cultivate understanding and provide appropriate support.

At the 2026 World Mental Health Day celebration, organized by the Greater Accra Regional Health Service and the Judicial Service of Ghana, Baffoe-Bonnie, represented by Supreme Court Judge Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah, stressed the importance of listening with empathy and integrating personal experiences into policy-making and support systems.

He pointed to the challenging nature of work within the Judicial Service, where staff frequently encounter conflict, trauma, loss, crime, and family disputes, as factors that could impact their mental health. Baffoe-Bonnie stressed that mental well-being is integral to a healthy, effective, and compassionate workplace, necessitating the creation of an institutional culture where seeking help is not viewed as a weakness.

He also highlighted the significance of mental health screenings and assessments to prevent potential issues, identify concerns early, and facilitate timely intervention. The Chief Justice called for a shift from sympathy to establishing supportive systems for individuals facing mental health challenges, encouraging employers to maintain ongoing mental health discussions, promote peer support, and facilitate access to professional care.