{
  "id": 13332845,
  "title": "Ghana Chief Justice urges employers to tackle mental health stigma",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/10/ghana-chief-justice-urges-employers-to-tackle-mental-health-stigma",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-10T05:29:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghana Business News",
    "slug": "ghana-business-news",
    "url": "https://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2026/10/10/ghana-chief-justice-urges-employers-to-tackle-mental-health-stigma/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has called on employers to foster supportive work environments in order to diminish the stigma surrounding mental health issues. He emphasized the need for empathetic and accessible healthcare, along with policies that prioritize mental well-being. The Chief Justice made this appeal during a speech at this year's World Mental Health Day celebration held at the Court Complex in Accra. The event, organized by the Greater Accra Regional Health Service and the Judicial Service of Ghana, focused on the theme, \"Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.\"\n\nJustice Baffoe-Bonnie, represented by Supreme Court Judge Justice Sophia Rosetta Bernasko-Essah, highlighted that mental health discussions should extend beyond statistics, diagnoses, and treatment to acknowledge the personal experiences of those affected. He stressed that stigma and fear of judgment or exclusion have led some individuals to keep their struggles hidden, and urged the public to listen to their stories without prejudice.\n\n\"Empathy is crucial. We must listen and allow those experiences to shape our policies, support systems, and responses to individuals going through difficult times in their lives,\" he stated.\n\nThe Chief Justice disclosed that the Judicial Service operates in a challenging environment, exposing staff to conflict, trauma, loss, crime, and family disputes, which could negatively impact their mental well-being. \"Recognizing that mental well-being is an essential component of a healthy, effective, and humane workplace is vital. We must create an institutional culture where seeking help is not seen as a weakness,\" he added.\n\nHe emphasized that the well-being of judicial officers and staff is crucial for an effective justice system, as it requires individuals capable of carrying out their duties with clarity, integrity, and compassion. Screening and mental health assessments can facilitate prevention, early recognition, and timely intervention, he said.\n\n\"The society must shift from merely sympathizing with people experiencing mental health challenges to establishing support systems,\" he asserted. The Chief Justice encouraged workplaces to continue discussing mental health, motivate colleagues to support one another, and promote professional help-seeking.",
  "summary": "Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie has urged employers to create supportive workplaces to reduce stigma against people with mental health conditions. The post Ghana Chief Justice urges employers to tackle mental health stigma appeared first on Ghana Business News .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "GBC Ghana",
        "title": "Ghana Health Service urges media to track promises made under Community Scorecard",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/ghana-health-service-urges-media-to-track-promises-made-under",
        "published": "2026-10-09T11:55:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}