A young man in his mid-thirties, identified as Moses, popularly known by the nickname “Helloooooo My name is Moses,” has reportedly taken his own life by jumping into a deep community well in Nkurakan, in Yilo Krobo municipality in Eastern Region.
Moses was known to be intelligent student during his school days decades ago at Nkurakan Presby School.
He was a farmer and also took part in active politics at grassroot level rising to become a polling station executive of the ruling New Patriotic Party but lost his reelection bid.
However, in recent times, he had fallen into alcoholism, becoming well-known in the community for his constant state of inebriation and engaging in intellectual conversations particularly on issues of politics and governance despite his condition.
Moses’ tragic death occurred few days after Judges and Magistrates in the country were officially notified that, attempted suicide has been decriminalised and no more an offence.
The Chief Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo in a memo to the judges through the Judicial Secretary said, “persons who attempt suicide are no longer liable for prosecution and or conviction.”
In a circular signed by Justice Cyra Pamela C.A. Koranteng, the Judicial Secretary on October 18, 2024 informed the judges and magistrates about the amendment of the criminal offences act.
“I have been directed by the Honourable Lady Chief Justice to notity all Circuit Court Judges and Magismates that attempted suicide has been decriminalised by the Criminal Offences Amendment Act, 2023 (Act 1092).
“She has further directed me to inform you 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
946) b Act 1092, persons who attempt suicide are no longer liable for prosecution and or conviction,” the Circular stated.
According Mental Health Authority, Ghana recorded 81 completed suicides and 543 attempted cases in the first half of 2024, as against 48 completed suicide cases and 594 attempted in 2023.
The Authority decried the trend worrying as a majority of these cases are young people between the ages of 15 to 30 years, with the most completed cases occurring in the Greater Accra Region.
while Eastern and Central Region are endemic with attempted cases.
Source:www.kumasimail.com
