[Just In] Ghana Decriminalizes Attempted Suicide: Subject to Imprisonment

The Criminal Offenses Act of 1960 in Ghana previously considered attempted suicide as a criminal offense, but the country’s parliament has recently passed amendments to change this.

Under the new laws, individuals who attempt suicide will now be seen as requiring mental health support rather than being subject to imprisonment.

Health experts in Ghana have advocated for this change, emphasizing the importance of providing medical assistance to those struggling with suicidal thoughts.

However, some lawmakers had previously opposed decriminalizing attempted suicide, with former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu stating in 2019 that punishment was necessary to discourage such behavior.

With over 1,500 cases of suicide reported each year in Ghana, the decision to treat attempted suicide as a mental health issue has been welcomed by many.