12/08/2026
Ghana YMCA Marks International Youth Day with Psychosocial and Mental Health Support at the Senior Correctional Centre.
As part of the Stronger Y’s Project, Ghana YMCA organized a Psychosocial and Mental Health Support Session for boys and girls at the Senior Correctional Centre, reaching 100 young people and 20 prison officers.
The programme was graced by the Officer in Charge, DDP Yayra A. Ashong-Mettle (Mrs.), and the Second-in-Command, ADP Daniel Eghan. In her welcome address, DDP Ashong-Mettle encouraged the young people to take full advantage of the session, emphasizing that mental health and psychosocial well-being are important for everyone, both young people and officers.
Facilitating the general session, Dr. Isaac Sarfo Acheampong engaged participants on psychosocial well-being, healthy coping mechanisms, stress and anger management, resilience and the importance of seeking support when needed. A key message throughout the session was that while young people may not be able to change their past, they can make choices today that positively influence who they become tomorrow.
Participants also explored practical ways of managing stress, building positive relationships, taking responsibility and developing resilience in the face of difficult circumstances. The session reinforced that psychosocial support can help young people better understand themselves, manage their emotions, relate positively with others and prepare for successful reintegration into society.
Following the general presentation, the boys and girls were divided into smaller groups for dedicated counselling sessions facilitated by Dr. Isaac Sarfo Acheampong, Mr. Crescens Osei Bonsu Ofori, Chrystal Simonita Villars-Cornan, and Nana Peperah Antwi, creating an opportunity for more focused engagement around their psychosocial and emotional needs.
In his closing remarks, ADP Daniel Eghan expressed appreciation to the facilitators and Ghana YMCA and encouraged the young people to translate the lessons from the session into positive behavioural change. He further highlighted the importance of sustained interventions that support young people in correctional settings to reform, reintegrate and become productive contributors to Ghana’s development.
This intervention contributes to World YMCA Vision 2030’s Just World pillar by promoting dignity, inclusion, rehabilitation and equitable access to psychosocial support for young people in correctional settings. It reflects Ghana YMCA’s commitment to ensuring that young people, regardless of their circumstances, are supported with opportunities to heal, grow and build a better future.
Ghana YMCA extends its sincere appreciation to KFUM Sverige YWCA-YMCA Sweden for the funding and continued partnership through the Stronger Y’s Project, and to the leadership and officers of the Senior Correctional Centre for their collaboration and commitment to the well-being and rehabilitation of young people.
Together, we are creating a Just World where every young person has the opportunity to heal, transform and thrive.
YMCA Africa
World YMCA
