Let’s Work to Break Silence Around Mental Health- Lady Julia
Lady Julia Osei Tutu has mounted a firm and fierce advocacy against the silence around mental health.
At the Commissioning of the KGL Eve Medical Centre on December 9, 2025, Her Majesty urged the public to concertedly approach the issue.
Her Majesty called for an urgent address to mental illness as she condemned the stigma and the shame that has shrouded the health concern.
“As we open this facility , I encourage all families, students, teachers and community leaders to help break the silence around mental health.”
Lady Julia called for empathy to amicably addressing the situation.
“Let us show compassion, understanding and support. Let us embrace the truth that mental health is not a weakness. It is a part of our wellbeing.”
She described the commissioning of the facility as the beginning of a new chapter in compassionate healthcare, advocacy for mental wellness and dignified support for women, children, students and families.
Recalling the conception of the project during the celebration of its birth, Lady Julia said the idea was born out of the realisation of the silent killer act of mental illness for many women, young people and families.
“Depression, anxiety, postpartum challenges, childhood behavioural issues, stress-related complications and emotional trauma are real. They affect homes, marriages, academic performance, productivity and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality.”
She, however, recognizes in dismay how this profound issue is shoved with silence, stigma and discrimination instead of care and understanding.
The first phase of the three-phased KGL Eve Medical Centre, a project masterminded by the wife of the King of the Asante Kingdom, has been commissioned and opened to the general public.
The US$2 million facility is located at the Kumasi Medical Village at Boadi at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), in the Ashanti Region.
Designed to hold consulting rooms for Psychiatric services, therapy and counselling units, inpatient wards, diagnostic and pharmacy units, rehabilitation spaces, administrative and staff facilities, it is purposed to provide dignified mental health services, general outpatient medical care, general obstetric support, youth and student counselling and professional psychosocial services.
Conceived by the Eve Medical Foundation, the project was fully funded by the KGL Group.
It was commissioned on December 9, 2025, by Lady Julia, the Patron of the Eve Foundation and Vice President of Ghana, Prof Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang.
The event was attended by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, Administrator of Ghana Medical Trust Care, Obuobia Darko Opoku, and others.
The second and third phases of the project are scheduled to be completed by 2027.
In her address, Lady Julia said the medical facility is built on three pillars namely Accessibility- that support is made available at where people live, study and work; Dignity- that no one should feel ashamed to seek help; and Holistic Care- that mental health must be integrated with general medical service, wellness and counselling.
“Seeing this vision come to pass is truly humbling and exciting for me… As we commission the KGL Eve Medical Centre, we celebrate not only the building but a promise. A promise that every person who walks through these doors will be met with dignity, care and hope.”
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
