Guidance and Counselling Association launches counselling body to promote national well-being

The Guidance and Counselling Association of Ghana (GCAG) has launched a special awards ceremony. This event marks a significant moment for mental health advocacy in Ghana.

The ceremony took place in Cape Coast. It brought together professionals from across the country. This gathering signals a new chapter for emotional and psychological well-being.

National President, Professor Godwin Awabil, called it “a milestone for mental health.” He emphasized the important role of guidance and counselling in society.

Prof. Awabil explained that counsellors do much more than traditional therapy. They support individuals facing anxiety, substance abuse, violence, and trauma. Their work spans classrooms, churches, prisons, and communities.

“Counsellors are the quiet architects of personal transformation,” he said. Their efforts are both preventative and developmental. They help schoolchildren develop discipline and guide adults through recovery.

In August 2023, GCAG was formed to address a professional identity crisis. Prof. Awabil noted confusion over titles like counselling psychologist or guidance officer.

This confusion ended in November 2023 when the Ghana Psychology Council approved a unified title: Licensed Professional Counsellor (LPC). The GCAG now represents over 1,000 members as their collective voice.

Prof. Awabil stressed the need to protect the discipline of Guidance and Counselling. He expressed concern about universities replacing these programs with psychology courses. He warned that omitting “guidance” from degrees risks neglecting essential developmental support.

The GCAG aims to be the leading body for counselling practitioners in Ghana. Its mission focuses on national transformation through collaboration with institutions like the Ghana Education Service.

The association seeks to enhance student performance and support human resource development. Strategic partnerships with regulatory bodies will help raise standards in training and ethics.

GCAG offers four membership categories: Regular, Associate, Honorary, and Student. This inclusivity allows various professionals to contribute to its network.

“Membership offers more than credentials—it’s about community,” Prof. Awabil explained. Members gain access to job opportunities, training programs, research publications, and insights into counselling.

A highlight of the ceremony was an awards presentation recognizing outstanding contributions to counselling in Ghana. The applause reflected gratitude and optimism for future professionals in this field.

“This launch isn’t just ceremonial,” said Prof. Awabil; it’s a call for unity and commitment. He believes their field must not only survive but thrive.

In closing, Prof. Awabil reaffirmed GCAG’s core values: competence, integrity, respect, collaboration, unity, and teamwork. These values should guide both the profession and national development.

“As we unveil GCAG,” he declared, “our work is central to Ghana’s future.” He hopes this day marks stronger mental health services and inclusive education for all.

With enthusiastic applause marking its conclusion, the ceremony signaled a new beginning for GCAG's movement towards advocacy and care—ready to guide individuals toward a healthier future.