Former senior advisor at the United Nations (U.N)  specializing in governance, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah has called for mandatory mental health assessments for prospective high-ranking officials in Ghana.He emphasised the crucial need to prioritise the mental well-being of potential officeholders, citing the significant impact their decisions can have on the nation.Referring to international norms, Prof.

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Agyeman-Duah urged Ghana to implement similar measures where mental health evaluations become a prerequisite for individuals seeking public office.He expressed concerns about whether such assessments have ever been conducted in Ghana for aspirants to public positions, highlighting the importance of scrutiny to avert potential risks to society.In an interview on Asaase Radio, Prof.

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Agyeman-Duah voiced his reservations regarding the ambitious campaign promises made by candidates vying for higher office ahead of the 2024 elections.He specifically mentioned a proposal by Presidential hopeful Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, who pledged to dredge the sea to Kumasi.Questioning the feasibility and credibility of such grand promises, Prof.

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Agyeman-Duah cautioned against the potential consequences of unrealistic commitments and stressed the necessity for thorough background assessments of individuals aspiring to leadership roles in the country.“As you know, on the campaign trail, people are making all kinds of promises, and somebody is even suggesting dredging the sea to somewhere up north. You wonder what their background or integrity is,” he remarked.

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Cheddar's proposal aims to dredge the sea to Kumasi, believing it will facilitate ship docking in the city upon completion, thus boosting import and export activities in the Ashanti region.

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