Ghanaian Parliament Amends Suicide Law

Ghana’s parliament has amended sections of the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960, which makes attempting to take one’s own life a crime.

Following the amendment, attempted suicide will now be considered a mental health issue requiring assistance by law.

Ghanaian health experts have been pushing for the law to be changed, saying attempted suicide is a medical condition that needs health support rather than imprisonment.

Some survivors of attempted suicide had also called for resources to be spent on prevention.

Local media IN Ghana say about 1,500 cases of suicide are reported nationwide every year.