Tema Mayor Launches Mental Health Support for Crash Site Survivors – Hugs Teachers in Emotional Tribute
By TSJ Metro Reporter
Tema, March 23, TSJ – One month after a devastating plane crash in Tema, Mayor Ebi Bright has moved swiftly to address the psychological wounds left behind, launching mental health support for teachers, parents, and children affected by the tragedy.
In a poignant show of leadership and empathy, Mayor Bright welcomed a team of mental health professionals led by Dr. Eugene K. Dordoye, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Mental Health Authority. The initiative, coordinated by the Authority, brought together parents, teachers, and children from the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) Day Care Centre.
The emotional high point of the event came when Mayor Bright, visibly moved, hugged each teacher who had witnessed the crash and helped shepherd young children to safety. “For me, the highlight of the day was the shared warmth of gratitude to the teachers,” she said afterward. “It was a moving moment for me, personally – expressed most meaningfully through the hugs I gave to each teacher in a gesture of empathy and appreciation.”
The gathering also included heads of TMA departments, security service chiefs, and a delegation from Tema General Hospital led by Medical Director Dr. Ralph Armah, alongside Metropolitan Director of Health Dr. Sally Quartey. Following the event, a structured mental health screening was conducted for: 106 children, 120 parents, and 11 teachers.
The screenings will determine follow-up support needs across the short, medium, and long term, ensuring that those affected receive continued psychosocial care.
Mayor Bright’s swift intervention underscores a growing recognition of mental health as a critical component of disaster response – one that heals not only bodies but also minds and communities.