TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - To keep the law or to repeal it: views of parliamentarians on the call to decriminalise attempted suicide in Ghana
JO  - OMEGA - Journal of death and dying
A1  - Quarshie, Emmanuel Nii-Boye
A1  - Oppong Asante, Kwaku
A1  - Andoh-Arthur, Johnny
A1  - Akotia, Charity Sylvia
A1  - Osafo, Joseph
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0030-2228
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00302228211066683
ID  - ref1
ER  -