‘Psychologists, counsellors must improve emotional wellbeing of society’

The Executive Director of Africa, Christ for All Nations (CfaN), Reverend John K. Darku, has urged psychologists and counsellors to look at their practice as a calling, a Godly duty to maintain and improve the emotional and mental well-being of Ghanaians.

Speaking at an end-of-year meeting of the management and staff of Holistic Counselling and Training Consult Ltd in Accra, Rev. Darku, who is also the vice chairman of the para-organisation, said “in whichever area of psychology you operate – be you a clinical psychologist, community, educational, industrial, organisational, a counselling psychologist or lay counselor – you have a sacred duty to contribute to the reduction in the burden of emotional difficulties.

“You are expected to support Ghanaians to deal with emotional strain. This is a very sacred duty whose performance should not be motivated by a search for financial gain.

“Yours is a sacred duty because you are instruments in the hand of God to bring about holistic development for the people. Emotionally troubled people are unproductive and a drain on the economy,” he said.

Psychology Council

Directing his concerns at crooks, quacks and untrained counsellors in the society, Rev. Darku was happy that after years of advocacy, the Ghana Psychology Council had been established under Act 857.

The Council is the only body empowered to acknowledge safe practitioners and regulate the practice of psychology to protect the vulnerable in the society. The law defines who qualifies to practice psychology as therapists, counsellors, para-professionals and lay practitioners.

It is the duty of the Council to ensure that every practitioner is licensed. It also vets para-professionals and lay counsellors for the purpose of licencing them to practice.

Lay counsellors

Rev. Darku urged psychologists, especially lay counselors, to uphold the law by registering as required under the law.

“We must be grateful to God for the law and for the existence of the Psychology Council. Too many people, especially religious personalities, think that no education or training is needed to counsel people. It is unfortunate that for financial gain, everybody wants to be perceived as a counsellor. This is not only wrong; it is also dangerous,” he said.

About 500 professionals were inducted into the Ghana Psychology Council for the first time in the history of the country.

The Executive Chairman of Holistic Counselling and Training Consult Ltd, Apostle Kofi Abbrey, was also inducted.

His firm trains and develops the skills and relevant knowledge of people in the practice of care, counselling and coaching in the church and beyond.

Apostle Abbrey is a member of the council’s committee in charge of para-professionals and lay practitioners.