John Adoyi
Ghana’s Mental Health Authority has raised alarm over a sharp increase in suicide cases, reporting that 134 people lost their lives to suicide in 2024, representing a 40 percent rise from the previous year. Over the past 18 months, more than 1,600 individuals have attempted to take their own lives, with 1,174 attempts recorded in 2024 alone and 475 in the first half of 2025.
This comes as Ghana joins the rest of the world to observe World Suicide Prevention Day, highlighting the urgent need for awareness, support, and preventive action. According to Dr. Eugene K. Dordoye, Acting Chief Executive of the Mental Health Authority, each statistic represents a person, a story, and a family devastated by loss. “Behind every number is a life cut short and a family in grief,” he said. “These figures demand urgent action from all sectors of society.”
Join our WhatsApp ChannelExperts point to the country’s limited mental health infrastructure as a major factor contributing to the crisis. With fewer than 11 mental health professionals per 100,000 people, access to care is limited, especially in rural areas. Social stigma and lack of community awareness about mental health further exacerbate the problem.
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In response to rising suicide rates, Ghana decriminalized suicide attempts in 2023, moving away from punitive measures toward supportive interventions. The Mental Health Authority has intensified public education campaigns, strengthened community support systems, and called for sustainable funding for suicide prevention programs. Dr. Dordoye also appealed to the media to report responsibly on suicide, emphasizing resilience and available helplines rather than sensationalizing tragedies.
Civil society organizations, including the Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana (GASP), are actively engaging communities to provide culturally sensitive counseling, capacity building, and awareness initiatives. They work alongside government agencies to ensure that vulnerable individuals can access help promptly.
