Suicide Is No Longer a Crime in This Country

In early 2023, Ghana voted to decriminalize suicide and attempted suicide, with measures being developed and implemented to help vulnerable citizens dealing with mental health issues, setting an example in offering support to people instead of punishing them.

“[Ghana’s decision] should have an impact on the work ongoing in other countries, especially in the African region,” says Joseph Osafo, head of psychology at the University of Ghana, who recently set up a mental health working group with representatives from about 20 African countries. “Nigeria is active, Cameroon is active… Kenya has joined and is doing fantastic work. We have Uganda. People have been asking us how we did it.”

Ghana has become the fourth country – after Malaysia, Guyana, and Pakistan – to decriminalize suicide in the past year. Kenya and Uganda both have filed petitions to overturn laws, and discussions are held in Nigeria and Bangladesh. There are talks about initiating a national suicide prevention policy and expanding a mental health helpline. Also, the Ghana Association for Suicide Prevention is devising programs, information is distributed to teachers in school, and more psychologists could be hired. The growing number of countries decriminalizing suicide shows a greater awareness and understanding of mental health.