Impacts of Mahama and Akufo-Addo administrations compared in suicide rate analysis
The Central Islamic Intelligence Bureau (CIIB), has conducted analysis on the suicide rate in Ghana that looked at the impacts of Akufo-Addo and Mahama administrations on the phenomena.
The CIIB then projected a significant drop in the national suicide rate by the end of 2027, citing growing social integration and improved communal engagement as key contributing factors.
This was contained in a press statement signed and issued in Accra by Sheikh Labaran Salifu Barry, the CIIB’s Director of Intelligence.
According to the statement, the Bureau’s analysis of suicide data over the past decade revealed consistent regional trends in suicide incidence with figures remaining relatively stable within specific regions regardless of national economic indicators.
“Suicides are not merely individual acts of despair; they are social facts that reflect the strength or weakness of our communal bonds,” it said.
It emphasized that weaker social integration significantly heightened suicide risk, independent of a country’s economic performance.
It said although Ghana’s current economic outlook may show some positive growth, factors such as urban migration, the erosion of traditional community support systems, and rapid industrialisation have led to growing disparities in mental health and emotional well-being across regions.
The statement indicated that the change of government, was, in the Bureau’s assessment, “necessary to restore social equilibrium,” arguing that the absence of a binding ethical code under the previous Akufo-Addo’s leadership fostered unchecked individualism and emotional alienation.
It contrasted this with President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, commending him for instituting a Code of Conduct for Public Officers, saying that the initiative enhanced accountability and promoted civic responsibility, which was “critical foundations for national unity and mental wellness.”
It said President Mahama’s leadership would be remembered for efforts to rebuild social trust and foster greater cohesion, elements that were crucial to reducing suicide rates over time.
The statement said CIIB, remains confident that Ghana would witness a marked reduction in suicide cases by 2027, not primarily because of economic gains, but through increasing communal resilience, responsive governance, and a renewed national focus on mental health.
The Bureau has therefore called on policymakers, civil society, traditional leaders, and faith-based institutions to collaborate in reinforcing social ties, promoting mental health awareness, and nurturing a culture of empathy and collective support.
Source: GNA