Prayer Camps, Mental Health, and Human Rights Concerns in Ghana

This article discusses the role that Ghana’s prayer camps provide in mental health care and the human rights concerns that are expressed. The article argues for the recognition of both state and nonstate actors in dealing with the problem of mental illness and its related human rights concerns. The article maintains that the mere existence of mental health legislation to protect the rights of mental health patients is not enough if it fails to recognise the religious dimensions – the beliefs, faith, or transcendental orientation – of the people who are the target object of such legislation. The article recommends to policy makers, academics, clinicians, and international organisations whose work focuses on mental health, ways in which religious views on mental illness can be harmonised to support modern projects such as human rights aimed at transforming the lives of people.