The Chief Justice, Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo, has urged judges and magistrates in the country to cease from criminalising attempted suicide.
According to a statement issued and signed by Justice Pamela C.A. Koranteng, the Judicial Secretary, attempted suicide is no longer a crime.
It stated that anyone who attempted suicide should no longer face prosecution or conviction as a result of the amendments made to Sections 57 of the Criminal Offenses Act 1960 and 95 of the Mental Health Act 2012.
The Judicial Secretary said: “I have been directed by the Honourable Lady Chief Justice to notify all Circuit Court Judges and Magistrates that attempted suicide has been decriminalised by the Criminal Offenses Amendment Act, 2023 (Act 1092).”
According to the statement, Circuit Court Judges and Magistrates must immediately abide by this decision, which reflects Ghana’s new attitude to mental health concerns and the legal system.
The Criminal Offenses Act of 1960, which had previously declared attempted suicide a crime, was amended by the Ghanaian Parliament in 2023.
As a result of recent changes, people who attempt suicide will no longer be imprisoned by the law but will instead be considered to require mental health treatment.
Ghanaian health specialists have been supporting this legislation, pointing out that people who are experiencing suicide thoughts need medical assistance.
Human rights organizations and mental health advocates, who have long asked for changes to Ghana’s mental health laws, will applaud this development. They contend that making attempted suicide a crime deters individuals from getting care.
Read Statement Below:
Source: newsthemegh.com