To Keep the Law or to Repeal It: Views of Parliamentarians On the Call to Decriminalise Attempted Suicide in Ghana

Emmanuel Nii Boye Quarshie, Kwaku Oppong Asante, Johnny Andoh-Arthur, Charity Sylvia Akotia, Joseph Osafo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

We explored the views of members of parliament (MPs) in Ghana on the call to decriminalise attempted suicide. We applied reflexive thematic analysis to Parliamentary Hansards (2017–2020) on calls to decriminalise attempted suicide in Ghana. 11 MPs shared their stance for or against the call. We developed three major themes that entailed, often, opposing views: (1) deterrent effect of the law (against: the law punishes and deters to protect life; for: the law is insensitive and has ironic effects), (2) enforcement of the law (against: leave things as they are, the law is not enforced, anyway; for: crime is not self-inflicted) and (3) prioritisation of suicide prevention (against: focus on more pressing issues, but resource support systems; for: the law and legitimate support systems cannot co-exist). The findings indicate two needs: to extend suicide literacy to Ghanaian MPs, and to initiate a public/private member’s bill on attempted suicide decriminalisation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39-56
Number of pages18
JournalOmega (United States)
Volume89
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2024

Keywords

  • anti-suicide law
  • attempted suicide
  • decriminalisation
  • members of parliament
  • suicide

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