During the period of colonization and before the introduction of scientific medicine, mental illness was treated with herbal medicine and spiritual rites. In the very early days of colonial rule, mentally ill patients were left alone to their own fate. However, on 4th February 1888, by a Legislative Instrument (LI) under the signature of the then governor, Sir Edward Griffiths, the old High Court of Victoria Borg was converted into Lunatic Asylum.
The Hospital is responsible for the treatment, welfare, training and rehabilitation of the mentally ill.
The University Of Ghana Medical School has a faculty established at the hospital for undergraduate training in Psychiatry and postgraduate training under the West African College of Psychiatrists (WACP).The hospital thus has a symbiotic relationship with the medical school.
The hospital is run by a management team headed by the Medical Director.
Other members are the
The hospital has the following departments for the effective execution of its vital functions.
The Kintampo Project
The second born child of Accra Psychiatric Hospital was Pantang hospital. It was opened by General I.K.Acheampong in 1975 and was headed by Dr.Sika-Nartey,a Psychiatrist. The hospital is situated near a village called Pantang,about 1.6 kilometres off the Accra- Aburi road and 25 kilometres from Accra Central. The hospital was originally planned to be a Pan-African Mental Health Village.
The first-born child of Accra Psychiatric Hospital was Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital. It was opened in October 1965.It had beds for 500 patients who are admitted from central, western and Ashanti regions.
Dr Sangmuah,Dr Sika-Nartey and Dr.Atsor were the pioneer psychiatrists. This was an attempt to decongest the hospital.
