Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo
Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has reminded all judges and magistrates across the country that attempted suicide is no longer a crime hence cannot be prosecuted in the country.
The Judicial Service in a letter dated October 18, 2024, and signed by the Judicial Secretary, Justice Cyra Koranteng, and addressed to all Circuit Court Judges and Magistrates, reminded them about the decriminalisation of attempted suicide in the country by the Criminal Offences Amendment Act of 2023.
The letter further informed them that “with the amendment of Section 57 of the Criminal Offences Act (1960) (Act 29) and Section 95 of the Mental Health Act (2012) (Act 846) by Act 1092, persons who attempt suicide are no longer liable for prosecution or conviction.”
It therefore, urged all Circuit Court judges and magistrates to take note and comply with the directive.
Parliament in June 2023, amended the Criminal Offences Act of 1960 to decriminalise attempted suicide.
The amendment meant that anyone who attempted suicide would be treated as a person requiring mental health support, rather than being subject to criminal prosecution and subsequent imprisonment.
Before the amendment, anyone found guilty of attempted suicide could be sentenced to between three (3) months and two (2) years’ imprisonment.
BY Gibril Abdul Razak