Residents of Kadjebi in the Oti Region have expressed growing fear and anxiety over the alarming presence of persons with mental impairment roaming the streets of the town.
These people often brandish offensive weapons such as cutlasses, clubs, and other sharp objects.
The situation, which has persisted for some time, has sparked security concerns among residents, traders, and commuters who say they now live in constant fear of possible attacks.
Mr Solomon Lotsu, a resident of Tadzewu Kpodzi, a suburb of Kadjebi, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the development was becoming increasingly dangerous and called for immediate intervention from the authorities.
“The situation is worrisome and threatening. These people are often seen wielding cutlasses and chasing people around them and we are scared that one day, they might seriously injure or even kill someone if nothing is done,” he said.
He appealed to the Department of Social Welfare, the Ghana Health Service, the Police, and the Kadjebi District Assembly, to work together to relocate or rehabilitate these persons with mental impairment to ensure public safety.
A resident of Akporsor Kordzi, who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on condition of anonymity, also recounted her traumatic experience, saying she sustained minor injuries after being attacked by one of the mentally impaired persons while on her way to the market.
“I was walking past one of them when he suddenly chased me with a stick. In my attempt to run, I fell and hurt my leg and since then, I’ve been very afraid to walk alone,” she narrated, calling on the authorities to act swiftly to protect residents.
Some market women and shop owners in the town also expressed similar concerns, noting that the presence of these individuals often deterred their customers from coming to purchase from their goods, especially in the evenings.
They urged local authorities to prioritise mental health issues and provide appropriate care for affected persons.
Mr David Naboare, a Mental Health Officer and President of the African Mental Health Association, commenting on the development, said the situation underscored the urgent need for a coordinated mental health response in the district.
He explained that many people living with mental health conditions often went untreated due to the lack of early diagnosis, inadequate family support, and insufficient mental health infrastructure.
“What we are witnessing in Kadjebi reflects the wider national challenge. There must be community-based interventions, regular screening, and strengthened mental health services to identify and treat individuals before their conditions deteriorate,” he stated.
Mr Naboare, also the Deputy Mental Health Focal Person for Kadjebi District, further urged the public to show empathy rather than fear or stigmatise people with mental illness, adding that rehabilitation, not punishment or neglect, is the key to long-term solutions.
Residents remained hopeful that swift and decisive action will be taken to restore calm and ensure safety in the town.
