@article{ref1,
title="To keep the law or to repeal it: views of parliamentarians on the call to decriminalise attempted suicide in Ghana",
journal="OMEGA - Journal of death and dying",
year="2021",
author="Quarshie, Emmanuel Nii-Boye and Oppong Asante, Kwaku and Andoh-Arthur, Johnny and Akotia, Charity Sylvia and Osafo, Joseph",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0030-2228",
doi="10.1177/00302228211066683",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00302228211066683"
}