In a landmark legal shift, Ghana has officially decriminalized attempted suicide following the passage of the Criminal Offences Amendment Act, 2023 (Act 1092).
This key development was announced through a notice from the Office of the Judicial Secretary, under the directive of Chief Justice Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, and circulated to all Circuit Court Judges and Magistrates nationwide.
The notice, signed by Judicial Secretary Justice Cyra Pamela G.A. Koranteng (JA), clarifies that changes to Section 57 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and Section 95 of the Mental Health Act, 2012 (Act 846) now ensure that individuals who attempt suicide will not face prosecution or legal penalties. This reform marks a clear departure from the previous law, which treated attempted suicide as a criminal offense.
The communication emphasizes that the new legal framework takes a health-centered approach to suicide attempts, aligning with international trends in mental health advocacy.
Those who attempt suicide will now be viewed as requiring medical and psychological intervention rather than legal punishment.
Circuit Court Judges and Magistrates are instructed to enforce this directive immediately, reflecting the nation’s shift in addressing mental health and legal issues.
This reform has been widely praised by mental health advocates and human rights groups, who have long argued that criminalizing suicide attempts discourages individuals from seeking help.
The Chief Justice also extended her appreciation to the judiciary for ensuring adherence to this new law.