Ghana needs a National Suicide Prevention Plan to provide a common framework for addressing suicidal behaviours.
This is a call from the Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana (GASP), a group of trained experts from multidisciplinary backgrounds.
The Association believes such a plan will help produce local but relevant recommendations and guidelines in the areas of suicide research, surveillance, reportage and content in the media.
It will also offer support for persons in suicidal crises, help for loved ones and relatives left behind or bereaved by suicides.
The Association in a statement signed by its Secretary and President, Dr Johnny Andoh-Arthur and Dr. Emmanuel Nii-Boye Quashie, committed to helping anyone undergoing suicidal crises.
The group, however, observed that though awareness campaigns toward improving public attitudes and encouraging people with suicidal tendencies to open up for help has been a major line of suicide prevention advocacy in Ghana in recent years, there’s still more work to be done.
While commending parliament for amending the Criminal Offences Act of 1960, which criminalised attempted suicide and makes attempted suicide a mental health issue, it called on President Akufo-Addo to assent to the new amendment.
“It is gratifying to note that through sustained research-fed awareness creation and social advocacy efforts by various stakeholders in suicide prevention in Ghana, the Parliament of Ghana, on March 28, 2023, amended the Criminal Offences Act of 1960, which previously made attempted suicide a criminal offence in the country. The Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana (GASP) commends the efforts of Ghana's Legislature, especially the Honourable Members of Parliament who sponsored the Private Member's Bill,” the release said.
The association, reflecting on the theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, encouraged Ghanaians to extend love and support to persons with suicidal thoughts.
“We also encourage individuals to desist from maltreating persons who may verbalise a wish to die or may have attempted suicide. People in suicidal crises require empathy and practical assistance and not condemnation,” said the statement.
Latest Stories
-
‘Overburdened’ National Peace Council needs $1m for election-related activities
54 seconds -
Recapitalisation of BoG apt; negative equity not due to recklessness – Financial Analyst
46 mins -
Accra is 7th most expensive city in Africa – Numbeo
1 hour -
Ghana Purchasing Managers’ Index dips but business confidence strong – S&P Global
1 hour -
Improved border security essential to combat gold smuggling, says Steve Manteaw
2 hours -
Baniekrom residents call for increased security following shooting incident
2 hours -
NLC’s meeting with CLOGSAG postponed to July 10
2 hours -
NPP’s National Council to decide Opoku Prempeh’s fate as Bawumia’s running mate today
2 hours -
More young people contracting hypertension, diabetes, says CEO of UGMC
2 hours -
Why I insured my testicles for $10m – Nick Cannon
2 hours -
Bird flu hits McDonald’s Australia breakfast hours
2 hours -
Popular TV show ‘Ultimate Paradise’ to return after 30 years
2 hours -
GPHA’s Kennedy Mornah reiterates calls for media specialisation
2 hours -
Resolving flooding will take time, but all hands must be on deck – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
3 hours -
Body found in search for child missing in croc attack
3 hours