Center for
Global Health

International Scholar

Languages: English (native), Twi (native)

Bio statement

DR. RUTH OWUSU-ANTWI is a beacon of excellence and leadership within the realm of psychiatry in Ghana.  She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Biology, an MBChB in Medicine and Surgery and a Master of Science Degree in Global Mental Health and Policy all from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.She is a Fellow, of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she specialised in Adult Psychiatry. Ruth is a dedicated educator and serves as a full time Lecturer at the School of Medical Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, where she imparts knowledge to the next generation of medical professionals. As part of her clinical work, She holds the esteemed position of Senior Specialist and is the immediate past Head (2017- 2024), of the Psychiatry Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Where she spearheads initiatives to provide comprehensive outpatient and inpatient services. She has several publications in peer review journals with her research interests gender based violence, Addiction and women mental health. Ruth is also a prolific conference speaker.She is also, the Medical Director of Recovery Pathways, a renowned private practice that specialises in specialist mental healthcare and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Her impact is not only limited to clinical practice and academia, as She has been commended by the Ghana Health Service and the President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo for her instrumental role as the Ashanti Regional Lead, for Psychosocial Support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Her dedication to advancing mental health care has not gone unnoticed, as her outstanding contributions have earned her prestigious awards, such as the 2019 International Fellow of the Association of Women Psychiatrists in San Francisco, USA. Dr. Ruth Owusu-Antwi is the immediate past President of the Psychiatric Association of Ghana (PAG-2021-2023), where she championed, and continues to champion initiatives aimed at improving mental health care delivery and advocacy nationwide.Beyond her professional achievements, Ruth is a devoted Christian who embodies the values of faith, compassion, and service. Outside of her career, she finds fulfilment in her role as a wife to Rev. Dr. Raphael Owusu-Antwi and as a mother, to their many biological and adopted children.

Recent global health projects

Selected publications

N. Natala, R. Owusu-Antwi, M. Riba, G. Dalack et al., Building Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Expertise in Ghana Through Training and Knowledge Dissemination: a Review of the Initial Collaboration Stages, Opportunities, and Challenges. Current Psychiatry Reports (2018) 20: 105 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-018-0959-y (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30259208/)

Choi, C. M.*, Munro-Kramer, M. L.*, Rominski, S. D., Cannon, L.M., Owusu-Antwi, R., & Akorsu, A. D. (2020). Building master trainers to facilitate sexual violence prevention: A pilot study in Ghana. Annals of Global Health, 86(1), 134. http://doi.org/10/29024/aogh.2747

 V. Agyepong, A. Osei, R. Owusu-Antwi, et al., Evaluating the Impact of Innovative Public Speaking Competition to Promote Psychiatry as a Career Option for Ghanaian Medical Students. Academic Psychiatry https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-018-0986-3. September, 2018. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30267363/)

V. Agyepong, Owusu-Antwi R, Ulzen T, et al Psychiatry as a specialization: influential factors and gender differences among medical students in a low- to middle-income country. Ir J Psychol Med. 2019 Sep 4:1-7. doi: 10.1017/ipm.2019.38. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31482773/)

K. Kusi-Mensah, G. Donnir, S. Wemakor, R. Owusu-Antwi & O. Omigbodun (2019) Prevalence and patterns of mental disorders among primary school age children in Ghana: correlates with academic achievement, Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 31:3, 214-223, DOI: 10.2989/17280583.2019.1678477 `

Ayisi-Boateng, N.K., Egblewogbe, D.A., Owusu-Antwi, R., Essuman, A. and Spangenberg, K., 2020. Exploring the illness experiences amongst families living with 2019 coronavirus disease in Ghana: Three case reports. African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine, 12(1), pp.1-3.

Ayisi-Boateng NK, Sarfo FS, Opoku DA, Nakua EK, Konadu E, Tawiah P, Owusu-Antwi R, Essuman A, Barnie B, Mock C, Donkor P. Educational intervention to enhance the knowledge of Ghanaian health workers on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine. 2022 Apr 26;14(1):7. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3448

Ayisi-Boateng, N., Opoku, D., Tawiah, P., Owusu-Antwi, R., Konadu, E.,Apenteng, G.,Essuman, A., Mock, C., Barnie, B., Donkor, P., & Sarfo, F (2022). Carers’ needs assessment for patients with dementia in Ghana. African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine,14(1), 8 pages. doi:https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3595

Lawrence, E., Owusu-Antwi, R., Assessing and Responding to Suicide Risk in Health Research in Low-Resource Settings: Implementation of a Suicide Response Protocol in Ghana. GLOBAL PSYCHIATRY ARCHIVES, 2022; 5(1): 77-82. doi: 10.52095/gpa.2022.4897.1048

Fondjo, L. A., Osei, O., Owiredu, W. K., Obirikorang, C., Senu, E., Owusu‐Antwi, R., & Brefo, E. F. (2022). Assessment of vitamin D levels and adipokines mediated obesity among psychiatric patients on treatment and treatment naïve: A comparative cross‐sectional study. Health Science Reports, 5(6), e858.

Lawrence, E. R., Appiah-Kubi, A., Lawrence, H. R., Lui, M. Y., Owusu-Antwi, R., Konney, T., & Moyer, C. A. (2022). “There is no joy in the family anymore”: a mixed-methods study on the experience and impact of maternal mortality on families in Ghana. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 1-11.

Omuojine, J. P., Bello, T., Wemakor, S., Mante, P. K., Amponsah, G.S.,Owusu-Antwi, R., Kusi‐Mensah, K., ... & Ojagbemi, A. (2023). Risk factors and outcomes of delirium in hospitalized older Ghanaians. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 38(4), e5912.

Russell, C., Beyuo, T., Lawrence, E., Oppong, S., & Owusu-Antwi, R. (2023). Stigma, Confidentiality, and Blame: Qualitative Focus Groups of Ghanaian Obstetric Providers After Maternal and Perinatal Losses. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 141(5), 83S-83S.

Lawrence ER, Parekh BJ, Owusu-Antwi R, Newman N, Russell CB, Beyuo TK, Yeboah M, Oppong SA, Moyer CA. “If You Need a Psychiatrist, It’s BAD”: Stigma Associated with Seeking Mental Health Care Among Obstetric Providers in Ghana. Int J Womens Health. 2024;16:131-141
https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S440224

Seidu AA, Duma S, Compton S, Owusu-Antwi R, ET AL; University Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring Best Practices. J Forensic Nurs. 2024 Jan-Mar 01;20(1):43-52. doi: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000462. Epub 2023 Dec 26. PMID: 38165738.

Michelle L. Munro-Kramer, Karley Morris, Sinegugu Duma, Akanni Akinyemi, Sibongile Kamusoko, Judith A. Chamisa, Darlington S. David, Ruth Owusu-Antwi, Tatiana Omolo, Eugene K. M. Darteh,Moreoagae Bertha Randa & Sarah D. Compton (2024) Barriers and opportunities for gender-based violence prevention & response at universities in Sub-Saharan Africa, Journal of Sexual Aggression, DOI:10.1080/13552600.2024.2328055

LeAnn A. Louis, Adu Appiah-Kubi, Ruth Owusu-Antwi, Thomas O.Konney, Cheryl A. Moyer, Emma R. Lawrence, “Nobody gave me information”:Hospital experiences of Ghanaian families after maternal mortalities, AJOG Global Reports, Volume 4, Issue 3,2024,100358, ISSN 2666-5778,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xagr.2024.100358.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666577824000522)

Owusu-Antwi R, Fedina L, Robba MJ, Khatibi K, Bosomtwe D, Nsereko E, Shadare O, Compton S, Akinyemi A, Randa MB, Afolabi AA. Prevalence of gender-based violence and factors associated with help-seeking among university students in sub-Saharan Africa. Women's Health. 2024 Dec;20:17455057241307519.

Oteng KF, Wallace LJ, Adu MK, Lartey KF, Arthur J, Dwomoh S, Owusu-Antwi R, Tsali DN, Larsen-Reindorf R, Agyapong VIO. Prevalence and Correlates of Likely Anxiety Disorder in Ghana During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional Online Survey. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2024 Nov 15;18:e269. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2024.105. PMID: 39545554.

Last Updated: 28 March 2025