Bolgatanga, May 23, GNA - A unit committee member of the Atulbabisi Electoral Area, Mr John Akadumah has expressed disgust about the behaviour of some residents of Bolgatanga, who engage in sexual intercourse with madwomen and thereby impregnating some of them.

He appealed to the Police to collaborate with non-governmental organisations to fight the menace before it becomes a major social problem. Mr Akadumah, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the weekend, also appealed to the Police to disarm lunatics in the area to prevent any unfortunate eventuality.

He said the number of mental patients roaming the streets of Bolgatanga is on the increase and that many people are showing obvious signs of madness. Residents of Bolgatanga are in danger as lunatics wielding knives, broken bottles, sharp edged metals and clubs is a common sight in the town.

Mr Akadumah referred to a madman popularly called "Father Christmas", who is often seen in possession of dangerous weapons and said he should be disarmed immediately. He recommended that the Ghana Education Service (GES) should collaborate with the Ministry of Health to mount an extensive educational campaign against drug abuse, which is a major contributory factor in making people mad.

Drama groups in schools should dramatise the dangers associated with the phenomenon. Religious organisations and non-governmental organisation should provide clothing for those lunatics, especially girls, who roam about almost naked.

The Acting Bolgatanga District Psychiatric Nurse, Mr Joseph Bog-Yena said the unit reviews about 40 psychiatric patients daily and has of late been admitting between 16 and 20 new patients every month. He said the unit has no authority to arrest any mental patient roaming the streets, because the lunatics enjoy fundamental human rights like any other persons. He advised relatives of mental patients not to restrain them, adding that they should seek advice from the psychiatric unit.