The Mental Health Authority calls for the decriminalization of suicide

The Ghana Mental Health Authority advocates for the rehabilitation of people who attempt to commit suicide rather than prosecuting them and sentencing them to prison.

Dr Yaw Amankwah Arthur, head of mental advancement to authority, notes that the law that makes attempted suicide a crime is archaic and should be repealed without hesitation.

“Suicide is criminalized in Ghana, but the mental health authority is advocating for its decriminalization. You see, this law was made in 1960 by the British. They made the law for us and the following year, 1961, they repealed the same law in Britain. The British now offer psychological rehabilitation to people who attempt suicide and do not jail them. After rehabilitation, these people get back in shape and contribute effectively to their community. Unfortunately, 50 years later, Ghana is still prosecuting people who attempt to commit suicide, ”he noted sadly.

He pointed out that Ghana’s colonial masters who criminalized suicide have repealed the law in their country and are now focused on saving lives while Ghana still abides by old laws.

“You hardly hear of people who have been mutilated after accidents attempting to kill themselves, but people suffer from psychological problems so painful that they decide suicide is the solution. So you can imagine the person who fails to commit suicide and then gets arrested and punished. Doing this only means that we have given the person the opportunity to try again.

Speaking to Raymond Nyamador on the Happy Morning show, Dr Yaw Amankwah Arthur said the Ghanaian government should focus on helping people who attempt suicide rather than prosecuting them. “We need to help them recover so that they can contribute to Ghana’s development. “

According to him, people who attempt to commit suicide or commit suicide need advice on reform rather than being criminalized under the Criminal Offenses Act.

In accordance with Article 57 of the Criminal Law of 1960 (Law 29), a person who encourages the commission of a suicide commits a felony in the first degree, whether or not the suicide is actually committed; a person who attempts to commit suicide commits an offense – resulting in a penalty, imprisonment for not more than three years.

In fact, the prosecution must establish two basic elements: “Mens Rea” – spirit or guilty intent accompanied by “Actus Reus” (prohibited act) and must also prove these two elements beyond a reasonable doubt in accordance with Article 13 (1) of NRCD. 323