Accra: Dr Clement Apaak, the Deputy Minister of Education, has called for investment in the mental and emotional well-being of the citizens. The Minister emphasized the need to normalize therapy, de-stigmatize mental health, and fund healing to address emotional challenges during a speech read on his behalf at the 10th graduation ceremony of the Oheneba-Dornyo University College of Counselling Psychology (ODUCCP) in Accra. The event saw 145 students graduate under the theme: ‘The Art of Healing the Soul: Restoring Hope, Renewing Lives.’
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Apaak highlighted the importance of placing trained counsellors in every school to combat bullying and academic pressure. He stressed the need for counsellors in hospitals to support patients, families, and medical staff, as well as in religious institutions to address issues such as depression, trauma, and marital conflict. In the workplace, he advocated for counsellors to build emotionally healthy teams and prevent burnout.
The Deputy Minister commended ODUCCP, describing it as Ghana’s premier institution dedicated solely to training professional Christian counsellors. He stated that the university’s commitment to academic excellence, spiritual depth, and practical application reinforced its mission to heal. He noted the prevalence of trauma in homes, schools, and communities and described healing the soul as a divine calling rather than just an intervention.
Dr Apaak urged graduates to focus on restoring hope and empowering clients to reconnect with their identity, purpose, and spirituality. He encouraged them to let their inner peace speak louder than interventions.
Reverend Prof Samuel Ohemeba-Dornyo, President of ODUCCP, highlighted that since 2014, the University had trained over 1,200 counsellors, ministers of the Gospel, medical doctors, and professionals from various fields to heal a hurting world. He urged the graduates to uphold the ethics of the counselling profession, emphasizing that counselling is sacred and requires ongoing learning, spiritual discernment, and ethical commitment. Graduates were awarded certificates for their outstanding performances.