Exposed: Inside Ghana’s “Mad House”

The Accra Psychiatric Hospital An investigative report by Anas Aremeyaw Anas It is a sad and sorry sight of unimaginable human suffering; of bright lives, powerful brawns and brilliant brains badly bruised and blighted by disease. It is a tale full of terrible and tragic oddities. The Accra Psychiatric Hospital (Asylum Down), Ghana’s leading psychiatric treatment centre is haemorrhaging from serious administrative, operational and ethical lapses that have seen patients living in subhuman and monstrous conditions. One inmate is eating from the upturned bottom of a dirty rubber bowl, rather than from the inside. He says the rubber bowl was given to him the previous day by Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain at a dinner where the two exchanged kisses. Leaning against a wall in another corner, a youthful fellow looks vaguely and forlornly into the sky, mumbling to himself; “I see the moon though it is a bright afternoon.” His shrinking waistline is barely able to keep his trouser firmly on his buttocks; his faded jeans has dropped loose, revealing a not so manly groin bristling with an untidy mass of neglected pubic hair. And over there is a bizarre ritual by a group of four who are full of smiles while slurping some curious liquid that an inmate (Jah) is dropping on their tongues from a goblet he is holding. In fact the officiating “priest” has just urinated into that cup in their very sight and yet, they are licking it with relish! These are but a few of the wild eccentricities that were witnessed at the Accra Psychiatric hospital. Yet, if you find the above narrative about our less fortunate compatriots to be unsettling, then what pertains among some of the supposedly normal, sober and more privileged workers at the facility would outrage you beyond measure. Seven months of investigations by the New Crusading Guide’s Anas has uncovered several malpractices perpetrated by some staff of the hospital against patients of the Accra Psychiatric hospital. Posing variously as a patient, a trader, a baker and a taxi driver as part of the beat, this reporter, has managed to put together a catalogue of hardcore video, audio and still pictorial evidence of both daylight pilfering and midnight stealing by the hospital staff; of the appalling living conditions at the hospital and of regular use and sale of narcotic drugs such as cocaine, cannabis and heroin among patients and staff of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital. Admitted for three weeks at the hospital under the name Musa Akolgo, alias ‘Don Dada’ at the BHC Male Ward with folder number 61919, yours truly got first-hand, face-to-face observation of the several cases of human rights abuses and neglect of patients by nurses, the brisk trade in narcotic drugs, and an ever-growing incidence of alcohol sale and use by the patients; all of which were captured with a hidden camera. On a daily basis, staff of the hospital steal food meant for patients not only for their personal consumption, but also for sale to the unsuspecting, and sometimes, colluding public. It is brisk, cash-and-carry business: private individuals can obtain food items like beans, rice, flour and sugar at discounted prices from the shameless kitchen staff of the hospital. Psychotic drugs such as Largactil™ and other sedatives are equally available for sale to the public. Drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin virtually litter the wards of the facility for easier picking than the notorious alleys and corners of Tudu or Sodom and Gomorrah in Accra. As a patient of this place, the reporter and his colleagues in BHC Male Ward had very little trouble getting cannabis, heroine and “coke” (cocaine), whether the rock or Thai type. For a little daily tip, some of the workers would run errands buying these hard drugs for the patients. The operation of drug peddlers within the Psychiatric hospital is an open secret among staff and patients. Well-known distribution outlets in Tudu, Sahara and Accra Newtown see and use the Psychiatric hospital as a major hub for local drug distribution. Speaking to this reporter, Clean Face, a drug dealer who plies his trade at the hospital revealed that patients at the hospital form the core of his customer base. “Before they got admitted into the hospital, I was supplying them with these same drugs so what I am doing now is take the market closer to the clients.” Clean Face moves to various drug joints in Accra to put together enough stock for patients at the hospital. When asked why he would not allow patients to undergo their rehabilitation without narcotic drugs, he retorted scornfully, “Who told you they don’t need it after they go mad? If I don’t look for them and sell it to them, how do I make my money? I do not neglect my customer, especially patients in Pantang, where I have my main customers.” It is also common to see hospital staff leave both personal and professional duties in the hands of patients. Many of these patients are made to carry buckets of water to the living quarters of resident staff. Others are often made to perform the duties of kitchen matrons as well as other chores unconnected to the hospital. Patients can be seen cooking, cleaning, washing and even doing work that nurses were supposed to do. One video recording shows a patient who consistently sits on the garbage dump to eat, picking rotten materials and scraps from litter bins and after that dashing straight into the kitchen to help the staff to cook. One morning, this reporter followed the patient equipped with a hidden camera, as he headed for the garbage heap to play and pick rotten and maggot-infested waste with his bare hands. Minutes later, he heads for the kitchen, where he is made to stir with his unwashed hands the pot of porridge that was being cooked for the morning’s breakfast. The neglect, abuse and maltreatment of patients by nurses in the hospital remain one of the most disturbing aspects of life within the hospital. On many occasions, this reporter filmed instances where patients suffering severe fits were left to lie at the mercy of the weather, with nurses totally apathetic. Some nurses were captured beating patients who lay on the ground helpless and writhing in pain. On one occasion, a male patient is seen helping a female patient suffering from epilepsy to get on her feet. After many futile attempts to help the ailing girl, the male patient leaves her on the ground close to a nurse’s office and moves on. Minutes later, a nurse passes by without offering any assistance to the patient. Not far from the patient, three nurses could be seen chatting idly as the epileptic patient lies in pain. When help finally arrives, the patient is beaten mercilessly by the nurses amidst shouts of “get up”, “foolish girl”, “if we beat her she would get up”. The attitude of nurses is generally so outrageous that the hard work and conscientious disposition of Ken Wholley Brantuo, Alex Baah and a few others shone forth like torch in pitch- darkness. Francisca Ntow, a young nurse at the hospital epitomised the spirit of care and love that accompanies nursing. With beaming smiles each day, she tries her best to give attention to patients and to find out their state of being. Her shining example gives hope to the future of psychiatric nursing in the country. Student nurses from Pantang Nursing Training College also helped to put a smile on the faces of patients. This reporter identified nurses like Mohammed Awol Wiqaya, Constance Oppong, Theophilus Martey, Sulleiman Mohammed and Grace Fokoyu, Musa Alhassan, who demonstrated high principles and practices of psychiatry. They engaged patients in a warm and lively manner in the healing process. That notwithstanding, there were also incidents where patients died and their corpses left neglected for too long. In fact the facility is so overcrowded that nurses find it impossible to do a roll call every evening. On one occasion, a patient died in a cesspit tank and the body lay there for weeks before another curious patient drew the attention of Management to the mess, as witnessed by this reporter. A nurse (name withheld), who spoke to this reporter, confirmed these state of affairs at the hospital. “You cannot lie about it. They always blame it on the numbers, but I believe this is a calling that must be pursued with the heart.” Meanwhile, authorities at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital deny knowledge of some of such happenings within the hospital. Dr. Akwasi Osei, Medical Director of the hospital says nobody has given him evidence of such incidents at the hospital, although he admits the rumour mill churns out such stories. Without ruling out the availability and use of narcotic drugs among patients, Dr. Osei tells The New Crusading Guide, “I have heard a few cases of some patients going out to bring cannabis to the hospital. I have had difficulty getting somebody who can point these things out. If you know of any such cases, let me know” he emphasized. On the issue of patients being used as workers in the kitchen and by other workers, Dr. Osei explains that patients actually go to pick their food in the kitchen as a form of occupational therapy. This, he says, “serves as stimulation towards their improvement”, emphasising that these are “patients who are practically well enough to go home”. He however admits that it cannot be a justification for staff to leave their work for patients to do. But our evidence was to the contrary. We found a patient whose mental state clearly undermined his capacity to think through the fairly routine act of self-service: he carried hot rice water on his bare head resulting in the serious burns which caused his scalp to peel off! Meanwhile, The United Nation’s (UN) World Health Organization (WHO) considers mental health critical to human development hence the definition of health as: "A state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of diseases or infirmity." Again, Article four (4) of the African Union Charter on Human and People’s Rights declares that, “Human rights are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.” These rights are grossly violated at the Accra Psychiatric hospital. The Medical Director of the Accra Psychiatric hospital however blames most of the challenges faced by the hospital on inadequate logistical support. “We have very serious constraints in terms of infrastructure. Although our Psychiatric system is better than that of most countries in our part of the world, we do not meet up in terms of what a Psychiatric hospital is expected to be,” admits Dr. Akwasi Osei. This view was self-evident. The decaying physical structure is one clear proof that the hospital was underfunded. Poor supervision, understaffing and under-trained workers combine to create conditions that encourage patient rapes, beatings, riots and suicides. In several cases, patients suffered grave harm as a result of poor medical oversights or errors. This is in sharp contrast with the state of the art rehabilitation facilities witnessed by this reporter at the St. Goran Psychiatric hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. At the St. Goran hospital, this reporter was greeted by a very hospitable environment, where patients lived without abuse or any form of neglect. At the hospital, there were several doctors and nurses who attended to patients with utmost care. There was an apparent sense of belonging among patients at the hospital; unlike the Accra Psychiatric hospital where most patients lived in fear and wallow under sub-human conditions. In an interview with some staff of the hospital, this reporter was shown so much politeness and later referred to Fredrik Bengtsson, who was in charge of the Hospital’s central unit. OLD MEDICATION AND SIDE EFFECTS The New Crusading GUIDE investigations also brought to light the lack of anti-psychotic medicines for inmates of the hospital. The few that are available have also been discovered to have negative side effects on patients. It is common to see patients’ conditions deteriorating in reaction to drugs which are meant to cure. In the course of investigations, this reporter witnessed extreme cases of negative patient reactions to some of these drugs. Side effects such as numb tongues and constant turning of necks were prevalent among patients who took these drugs. Other side effects, which were confirmed by nurses, are slurred speech, impotence, drowsiness, atasia and neck-turning. GOLDEN EVIDENCE: BRISK BUSINESS IN BAGS OF RICE, FLOUR, SUGAR AND DRUGS AT THE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL A mentally challenged person doing his own thing outside the hospital It is another day of business and our investigative reporter, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, poses as a taxi driver and a baker’s assistant to purchase bags of rice, flour and sugar meant for inmates of the psychiatric hospital. He is met by two workers of the psychiatric hospital outside the hospital premises for the business transaction. Motion picture begins with reporter alighting from a taxi. Exactly 4 minutes and 5 seconds into the video, picture shows reporter helping two guys to offload bags of flour and sugar from another vehicle. Conversation then begins: REPORTER: Is this all you have, the goods are not enough? MAN: This is all we have, I asked him to wait until I have enough but he insisted I bring it today REPORTER: Yeah!! Because we always use it in making the bread so we need it very bad MAN: Yeah!! You said it but if I should keep it, it will melt REPORTER: But he said you have rice MAN: I will get you some REPORTER: Yes please MAN: But you will have to give me GH¢150 for this one first REPORTER: GH¢150 right? Ok, can we go now? MAN: When we get there, I will get you the people at the bakery REPORTER: So who will be our contact for the rice? MAN: Patrick REPORTER: But Patrick ………….. MAN: The whole idea is that, when they get the rice and someone is ready to buy, they can’t keep it for a long time but if you give him money; he will get you the rice REPORTER: ok, that means we have to get him the money before he will get us the rice. MAN: yeah!!! You know when he gets the rice and somebody has money, there is no way he will put it down he’ll by-all -means sell it. He also needs money!! That’s how it works. Once you give him the money and tell him what you want, you have it. REPORTER: OK!!! I see, I see. Ok Charlie!! The money be GH¢20 REPORTER GIVES HIM MONEY FOR THE TRANSACTION THAT ENSUED THERE. REPORTER: Some what do we expect now? I mean, are you getting something for us next week? MAN: what do you want? REPORTER: if you can get us more of the margarine, flour and injection violet, that will be fine MAN: if it is flour you want, I don’t have any problem with that I control the flour and the margarine but not the rice; I will have to consult Patrick. You just saw the flour? I will use it in baking REPORTER: so do you suggest I give you the money to be given to Patrick for the rice? MAN: yes!! REPORTER: so how much do you suggest I give him? MAN: it depends on the quantity you want REPORTER: we need enough but eiiiiii!!!! MAN: I can’t tell how much money you have, besides you are not the only one, others buy, so you gather everything, you can’t waste petrol to-and-fro. I told him the other day REPORTER TURNS TO COLLEAGUE; REPORTER: I think we should give him part of mum’s money. So how much do I leave behind? MAN: I can’t say because I’m not in your pocket REPORTER: Ok then I will leave GH¢60 behind MAN: that’s fine COLLEAGUE: what quantity are we expecting? MAN: I can’t tell but if it’s not enough, he will add up and take it from you when next you come, even when the money is spent and the stipulated time is not due, I will call you to come for what is available. You come Wednesday or Thursday for the first set and come back for the final one on Saturday. REPORTER: Lest I forget, I have a friend who operates a drug store; he said he needs azar and other. MAN: ooo!! You mentioned that, it escaped my memory, let’s deal with that tomorrow ok. I’ll call you, THE MAN TURNED TO REPORTER’S COLLEAGUE AND ASKS, “SHOULD I CALL ON YOUR NUMBER”? SUPPLIER MASTER OF AKPETESHIE (LOCAL DRY GIN) HANGS OUT WITH OUR REPORTER Motion pictures begin with reporter walking from the hospital room towards a man in a yellow MTN t-shirt, at exactly 52sec of motion pictures conversation begins. Reporter starts calling a staff member who had bought two bottles of Akpeteshie (local dry gin) for him. Reporter: I hear say power dey inside your own paaa ooo!!! Staff: Power dey there Reporter: so how much you get em? Staff: one bottle bei GH¢22 Reporter: GH¢22 Staff: e bei 4,4 e dey here right now Reporter: Don’t worry, don’t worry Staff: And my room bei this Reporter: But power dey inside? REPORTER MOVED IN THE COMPANY OF THE MAN TO HIS ROOM WHERE HE CARRIES HIS BOTTLE OF AKPETESHIE TO A SAFE PLACE. AT EXACTLY 2:35SEC CONVERSATION BEGINS: Staff: Me I don’t chop people’s money like that oo Reporter: Ooh!! How you go chop people money Charlie, I get some people, some friend bi wey e too e dey special ward. Em too e dey want. Staff: If I get noo!! You go come pick em Reporter: ooh!! Me I go come pick em myself No bei now Staff: make you no make the nurses see Reporter: no, no I no go make the nurses see The Reporter FOLLOWED THE MAN TO A BUILDING Reporter: make I come? Make you make em fast THEY ENTERED ANOTHER ROOM, THEY WALKED THROUGH UNDERGROUND STAIRS AND INTO ANOTHER ROOM AGAIN, AT EXACTLY 4:42SEC CONVERSATION BEGINS; Reporter: eehh!!!! Charlie this one dey proper ooo STAFF IS SEEN WITH TWO BOTTLES OF ALCOHOL, HE GAVE ONE TO REPORTER AND POURED A LITTLE BIT OF THE OTHER ONE ON THE GROUND… Reporter: Test em, test em, make we see say e bei proper. Eehh!! This one dey power dey inside papa! So e bei your wife dey sell em? MAN: e bei e dey sell the back, you go see everything dey up, glasses and everything dey for up I can’t cheat you. THE STAFF WHO IS THE COCAINE ‘LORD’ OF THE YARD MEETS REPORTER AT A SECRET LOCATION Reporter moves to the Female ward of the hospital in search of Carter, a nurse who deals in Cocaine with patients. Carter is about to fulfill his part of a negotiation to supply the reporter with a second delivery of Cocaine. After asking his way around the ward, reporter finally meets Carter in a corner: Reporter: So the one you get there, e bei special ooo? MR. CARTAR: ooh!! E dey for yesty noo wey I cut am with fresh one Reporter: So e no like am MR.CARTAR: So you if you like later Reporter: Ok now make we wait because I wan buy some MR. CARTAR: How much? If e do make fast because I don’t want make somebody hear say…. Reporter: The rock and what do we call am MR.CARTAR: Rocar, ok the one you dey take now. The one you dey take your hands put for top nooooo Reporter: The Thai noo how e dey? MR. CARTAR: E fine, you take put for half palm you take make tea then you drink Reporter: how much is it? MR. CARTAR: that one is GH¢35 and GH¢40, correct one Reporter: Thai expensive pass rock MR. CARTAR: You for take the two all, before you go make fine Reporter: Before I go make fine MR.CARTAR: hmmm, come sit down here. Before you go make fine, you get there in go blow am. If you do for here, nobody go see you Reporter: I get one for here MR.CARTAR: give me the money, jimmy go come, if it knock 9, he go come Reporter: I get something for my pocket that be why I sick MR. CARTAR: ok make fast, make fast, now I dey go work Reporter: you ee the people, how much them charge you? MR. CARTAR: oo plenty but me I give them only GH¢20, people pay GH¢200, me where I dey, I make lucky, so the money you take give me e I take pay wey I borrow for that place, so e say if I dey need some make I come there for Nima Reporter: I learn that, how much you fit buy and store am MR. CARTAR: buy GH¢25 Reporter: GH¢25 MR. CARTAR: yeah!! You get the quality one Reporter: quality, wey e go fei dey my dey MR. CARTAR: I tell you wey e go be big pass the one you dey buy, I no go lie you Reporter: but my friend bei wey e get some wey e dei bring me some that one dei you no dey like? MR. CARTAR: now now, now I wan go work, make you no buy for anywhere the boy go come now Reporter: so what you say e go come MR.CARTAR: me, if you drink the coke finish nooo I will go Reporter: this one e no go fetch MR. CARTAR: me I no dey high me oo because I dey supply am Reporter: sure say e good MR. CARTAR: For him them go catch am I tell you the way e wear the dey uniform, them I dey go out e bei uniform I dey put so nobody go fie do anything, make fast make fast make I go, this one you for buy GH¢25 then I put am for you Reporter: e wear uniform? MR. CARTAR: aaah!!, yes, me I dey go out e bei uniform I dey wear, nobody go do anything Reporter: ok but I wan do am…………. MR.CARTAR: I know don’t worry, don’t worry, you go make fine Reporter: but you forget the pipe and the syringes MR. CARTAR: I go get all, you bring the money Reporter GIVES HIM THE MONEY Reporter: today e no good, you take this and let me take this, you buy come, if you take small and me too I go take small MR. CARTAR: add GH¢5 to it Reporter: ooo now e bei small, unless puppy come, now e bei this one I get MR. CARTAR: Your popei go come? ok give me GH¢1,GH¢1 then I go go! Reporter: ok I go give you GH¢1 MR. CARTAR: now if they share food finish, I go go, then I can check say the guy noo, e dey here, the yesterday I give am noo, I no go lie you. Reporter: I get some noo, I go do am NB: The Part two (2) of this story, where Anas went in search of a cure for madness, investigated partly in Soweto, South Africa; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and some healing camps in Ghana. Find out all about the men of God and their lies about their healing powers with details of patients in Chains and Shackles. Source: The New Crusading Guide