With the amendment, attempted suicide will now be considered a mental health issue requiring assistance by law, instead of a crime, according to Ghana's TV3 network.
Ghana's parliament has amended sections of the Criminal Offenses Act of 1960, which makes attempting to take one’s own life a crime.
The relevant sections of the Act were amended on Tuesday.
With the amendment, attempted suicide will now be considered a mental health issue requiring assistance by law, instead of a crime, according to Ghana's TV3 network.
Ghanaian health experts have described attempted suicide as a medical condition that should not be criminalised. They had been pushing for a change.
According to them, what such people need is support and not imprisonment. There are about 1,500 reported cases of suicide annually, according to local media.