Ghana’s parliament amended sections of the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960, making attempting suicide a crime.
According to Ghana’s TV3, following the amendment on Tuesday, attempted suicide will now be considered a mental health issue requiring legal assistance.
Ghanaian health experts have been pushing for the law 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 toward prevention.
According to local media, approximately 1,500 suicides are reported nationwide each year.
