Forestry Commission Deputy CEO Elikem Kotoko Shares Personal Battle with Mental Health Following $497,000 Loss

Elikem Kotoko, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, has made a candid disclosure regarding his mental health journey, revealing that he contemplated suicide twice following a catastrophic financial loss nearly a decade ago. Speaking at a recent Youth Forum, Kotoko shared how the twin disasters of June 3, 2015—the floods and fire in Accra—wiped out his business investments valued at approximately $497,000. This revelation sheds light on the profound personal and psychological toll that major national disasters can take on individual entrepreneurs beyond the immediate physical destruction.

The 2015 floods remain one of the most tragic events in Ghana's recent history, but Kotoko's account provides a rare look at the long-term emotional fallout of such a disaster. He explained that the sudden destruction of his business interests was not just a financial setback but a soul-crushing experience that led him to the brink of self-harm. By sharing that he nearly took his life on two separate occasions, Kotoko highlighted the intense pressure and despair that often accompany significant economic failure in a competitive business environment.

By utilizing the Youth Forum as a platform for this testimony, Kotoko aimed to break the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health and suicide in Ghana. His story emphasizes that even those in high-ranking leadership positions are not immune to psychological crises. The Deputy CEO used his own experience as a teaching moment for the younger generation, encouraging resilience and urging those facing similar struggles to seek help rather than succumb to hopelessness. His journey from the depths of despair to his current role in national administration serves as a powerful narrative of recovery and professional resurgence.

This disclosure adds significant weight to the ongoing national conversation about mental health awareness and the necessity of robust support systems for trauma victims. As more public figures share their lived experiences with mental health challenges, advocates hope it will foster a culture where seeking psychological assistance is normalized. Kotoko's openness provides a critical reminder of the importance of mental health infrastructure in supporting Ghanaians through both personal and national tragedies.