Ghana’s parliament has amended parts of the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960, which made attempting to take one’s own life a crime. According to Ghana’s TV3, following the amendment, attempted suicide will now be deemed a mental health issue requiring legal assistance.
Ghanaian health experts have been pushing for the legislation to be changed, claiming that attempted suicide is a medical condition that requires medical attention rather than incarceration.
Some survivors of attempted suicide have also advocated for more resources to be directed towards prevention.
According to local media, approximately 1,500 suicides are recorded nationwide each year.
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