The Ghana Psychological Association has expressed concern over the failure of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to strengthen guidance and counseling units in second-cycle schools to address adolescent mental health issues.
The Association believes that the attention of professionals serving within the guidance and counseling units in schools has been diverted to teaching courses at the expense of meeting the growing mental health needs of schools.
Speaking on the back of the viral video of a student being tortured by a colleague at Adisadel College, President of the Ghana Psychological Association, Dr. Collins Badu Agyemang, made a case for guidance and counseling professionals to serve their purpose in schools.
“It is one thing to have guidance and counseling providers in schools, and it is another to follow up and ensure that we have the logistical support and arrangements that will ensure that adequate support is provided to the students as far as addressing their mental health needs are concerned.”
Dr. Badu Agyemang also called on GES to prioritize the career development of guidance and counseling professionals in schools to make them more effective.
the school system is concerned? Why don’t we ensure that counselors are registered with the Ghana Psychology Council? Why don’t we pay for their continuous professional development so that they stay updated? And why doesn’t the Ghana Education Service collaborate with the relevant body in charge so that we strengthen those people and the work that they do?”