The CEO of the Bahas Foundation, Mr Illiasu Baba, widely known as BAHASS, is appealing for help to support the increasing demands on the region’s sole mental health home.
Speaking at the World Mental Health Day celebration held at the Upper West Regional Library on Saturday, Mr Baba issued a stern warning to young people to stay away from substance abuse.
The Impact of Hard Drugs on Mental Health
Chairman Bahas expressed gratitude to all guests for honouring the intellectually disabled in society, thanking them for the love and care shown at the event. However, he voiced deep concern over the growing number of young people losing their mental health, which he attributes directly to the intake of hard substances. He commended ongoing efforts to combat hard drugs in the region.
A Plea for Government and Community Aid
The increasing number of residents at the home is creating severe challenges. Mr Baba stated that feeding and keeping the inmates sanitised is becoming a “daunting task.”
He made a direct appeal to the Regional Minister for assistance, suggesting that the facility be considered a special school to benefit from the government’s School Feeding Program. This, he believes, would significantly ease the foundation’s current burden. He also urged the public to prioritise their own well-being, emphasising that “everyone is vulnerable to this illness.”
About the BAHASS Foundation
For years, the Bahas Foundation has been instrumental in keeping the Wa township and surrounding districts clean and safe by taking mentally disabled people off the streets and providing them with shelter and upkeep. The Foundation has a tradition of rotating the World Mental Health Day celebration across the region.
This year’s theme, “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies,” saw a strong turnout, including Chiefs, representatives from the Food and Drugs Authority, the regional Mental Health Unit, a representative of the Upper West Regional Minister, and various other stakeholders
