By Prince Acquah, GNA
Cape Coast, April 24, GNA – The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has launched an AI-powered application to promote mental health among the youth and fight bullying in Ghanaian schools.
The BRAVE Ghana App, now available on Google Play Store, leverages AI to analyse mental health patterns and provides accessible personalised support to young people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, suicidal ideation among other mental conditions.
Additionally, it features a fully anonymous reporting system, which enables students to confidentially report bullying to authorities and track resolution in real time without fear of stigmatisation.
Developed by a team of UCC researchers and other collaborators, the app is currently being piloted at the Koforidua and Suhum Technical Institutes.
The app was developed as part of the Bullying Reporting and Victim Empowerment in Ghanaian Schools (BRAVE GH) project, an evidence-based initiative, designed to prevent bullying and improve mental health outcomes through interventions grounded in Social and Emotional Learning.
The project combines research, community engagement, and technology to create safer and more supportive school environments across the country.
Prof Jacob Owusu Sarfo, the Project Lead for the UCC team, explained that the app was developed to bridge the yawning gap in accessing mental health services, and create a more robust system for addressing bullying in schools and communities.
He noted that integrating AI enabled the platform to deliver responsive, user-friendly support, particularly for young people who were hesitant to seek help through traditional channels.
“Beyond students, the platform supports teachers, parents, counsellors, and local communities, helping build a comprehensive and responsive mental health ecosystem,” he said.
He emphasised that the app’s design was firmly rooted in Social and Emotional Learning principles and was co-created with students, teachers, parents, and community leaders.
“We also received support from major stakeholder organisations like the Eastern Regional Office of the Ghana TVET Service, Koforidua Technical Institute, Suhum Technical Institute, the Centre for Health Research & Policy Innovation, and the Centre for Behaviour and Wellness Advocacy,” he added.
Aside from the app, he explained that the platform was also accessible on https://www.bravegh.org.
He said as part of the rollout, students were encouraged to register as users to explore and test the platform, while designated focal persons would receive support to sign up as counsellors.
Beyond the app, the BRAVE GH project, implemented under the BEING Initiative with support from Grand Challenges Canada, includes “Brave Watchdog” school clubs and behaviour modification programmes for individuals involved in bullying.
The initiative promotes a positive school culture through early identification of endangered students, training of teachers on bullying, peer support systems, and access to coping resources.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
April 24, 2026.