Decriminalising suicide in Africa: A path to protecting future generations
February 2024
The continent’s suicide problem can, and must be addressed as a matter of urgency, if we are to ensure that thousands of young lives are not needlessly lost, says Lady Dentaa Amoateng
The continent of Africa is facing an increasing suicide crisis, with one country already declaring it an epidemic. Although grateful that my home country, Ghana, has recently joined the growing list of states decriminalising suicide to save lives, I am. urging our brother and sister nations to follow suit, writes Lady Dentaa Amoateng.
Africa currently has the highest suicide rate in the world and given that 77% of suicides occur in low-and-middle-income countries according to the World Health Organization (WHO), perhaps this comes as no surprise from the poorest continent on the planet.
“As a British Ghanaian mother of boys, I am alarmed the suicide rate among males in Africa, is also the highest in the world. Mental health has been thrust into sharp focus for us, the younger generation, who grapple with an ever-growing list of challenges, including unemployment, poverty and a lack of social support. All of these have a negative impact on mental health, and, as statistics show, suicide has become a public health crisis that demands both our attention and action”