“We Now Have a Patient and Not a Criminal”: An Exploratory Study of Judges and Lawyers’ Views on Suicide Attempters and the Law in Ghana

Joseph Osafo, Charity S. Akotia, Johnny Andoh-Arthur, Kofi E. Boakye, Emmanuel N-B Quarshie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study explored the views of judges and lawyers of the superior courts of Ghana on the law criminalizing attempted suicide. Qualitative data were collected from 12 experienced legal practitioners of the superior courts (five judges and seven lawyers) using a semi-structured interview schedule. Thematic analysis of the data yielded three main perspectives: In defence of the Law, Advocating a Repeal, and Pro-Health Orientation. Although exploratory, the findings of this study offer cues for stepping up suicide literacy and advocacy programmes toward either a repeal of the law or a reform.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1488-1508
Number of pages21
JournalInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
Volume62
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2018

Keywords

  • Ghana
  • attempted suicide
  • criminalization
  • judges
  • lawyers

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