Each morning, on my way through the city, I’m confronted with a sight that has quietly become part of Accra’s daily rhythm—men and women, mentally unwell and homeless, sleeping on benches, pavements, or bare floors at our bus stops.
These are not fleeting scenes that disappear with the night. Even in broad daylight, some remain stretched out on benches, fast asleep, while others wander barefoot around the terminals—unnoticed, unbothered, and sadly, forgotten.
For many of us, the bus stop is simply a waiting point before another busy day. For them, it is the only place they can call home. What used to be a resting spot for commuters has slowly turned into an open shelter for people battling mental illness. And yet, we have grown accustomed to walking past them as though they do not exist.
A Reflection of Neglect
We often refer to it as a “madman problem,” but I’ve come to see it differently. It is not just about madness — it is about neglect. It is a symptom of how broken our social and mental health systems have become.
When there is no care, no shelter, and no family to turn to, the streets become the only option. The bus stop becomes the bed.
The Everyday Reality
Beyond the sadness, there is also fear and discomfort. Commuters whisper about their safety. Some of these street dwellers rummage through bins or chase passers-by.
The benches are stained, the smell lingers, and yet no one really stops to ask why this keeps happening.
What Needs to Change
I don’t believe the solution lies in pity or police crackdowns. What we need is compassion backed by planning.
Mental health should not be treated as a side issue — it is a public concern. We need more outreach programmes, rehabilitation shelters, and places where those living with mental illness can find help, not harassment.
Metropolitan assemblies, NGOs, and community leaders must work together to create humane, safe spaces that don’t merely remove people from the streets but actually restore their dignity.
The Hard Truth
The sight of mentally unwell people sleeping on benches is not just an eyesore — it is a mirror reflecting how we treat our most vulnerable citizens.
Until we fix the broken systems that abandon them, Accra’s bus stops will remain silent witnesses to human suffering in plain sight.
Every time I pass one of them lying quietly under the scorching sun or huddled on a bench, I am reminded that we have normalised something that should never be normal. Because deep down, we all know this is not right.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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