Anti-Suicide Laws in Nine African Countries: Criminalization, Prosecution and Penalization

Although several countries and jurisdictions across the globe have repealed their legal statutes criminalizing suicide attempts (or nonfatal suicidal behavior), suicide attempt remains a crime in several African countries. In these countries, a suicide attempt puts the suicide attempt survivor at risk for criminal apprehension, prosecution and penalization. The current article provides an overview of anti-suicide laws in nine selected African countries. In addition, it presents the results of a brief survey of the popular electronic and print media conducted to discover evidence of legal prosecution and penalization of suicide attempt survivors in the selected countries. The data show that criminal prosecution of suicide attempt survivors occurs in all but one of the societies where suicide attempt is criminalized. The article concludes with a brief overview of the arguments for penalization and depenalization of suicide attempts. Advocates of decriminalization argue that suicidal behavior is a symptom of a medical or psychological problem; therefore, suicidal persons need medical, psychological or psychiatric services, not judicial penalties. Opponents of decriminalization contend that suicide is inherently evil, immoral, or sinful; therefore, continued legal prohibition and judicial sanctions are defensible

Mass Murder in Ghana: Offenders, Victims and Incident Characteristics

Mass murder refers to a homicide episode in which four or more persons are killed concurrently, in one or two locations, within a twenty-four-hour period. As a phenomenon, mass murder has not been adequately studied in non-Western societies, partly because of the limited number of incidents occurring there. Consequently, very little is known about the extent and characteristics of mass murders that occur in these societies. This article helps fill this void in the literature by focusing on mass murder offenses that occurred in Ghana, West Africa. Diligent and systematic manual and computer searches of Ghanaian print and electronic media yielded six mass murders during 1990-2016. A content analysis was conducted of all available reports surrounding these cases to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of offenders, victims, offense characteristics (weapon, spatial, temporal aspects) and possible motives for the crime. The findings included the following: mass murder was a rare crime in Ghana; perpetrators were typically male and employed machetes, firearms, poisons and acid to kill their victims; offenders and victims archetypally shared a primary relationship as family members

A Case Study of a Maternal Filicide-Suicide in Ghana: The Role of Culture and Mental Health

The current article presents the results of a systematic review of a maternal filicide-suicide incident that occurred in Ghana in 2010. In this case, a 33-year-old mother with a history of mental illness and psychiatric hospitalizations, kidnapped all five of her children from her estranged boyfriend, the custodial father. She poisoned them to death with a liquid detergent, arranged their bodies neatly on a bed in her own bedroom, and then telephoned the father of the children to come and collect them. Her semi-conscious body was found two days later in an abandoned automobile. She had ingested the same type of poisonous chemical she used to kill the children. Case information shows that although she suffered from schizophrenia and depression, her psychiatric maladies were exacerbated by relationship breakdown with her boyfriend and separation from her children in a pronatalist society that extols marriage. The stigma of mental illness, chronic shortage of psychiatric resources and medicines, and the absence of national anti-suicide prevention programs did not help alleviate the situation. The goal of the study was to help address the paucity of scholarship on maternal filicide-suicides in non-Western, non-industrialized societies, including Ghana

First generation Ghanaian migrants in the UK : dietary intake, anthropometric indices and nutrition intervention through the black churches

Background: Black Africans in developed countries have a higher prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases. However, dietary and anthropometry data is limited, particularly on sub-groups such as Ghanaians in the UK. Objectives: To determine the habitual diet and body composition of first generation Ghanaian migrants, to validate a food frequency questionnaire specific for Ghanaians, find the ideal body image of Ghanaians and the body size most attractive to Ghanaian males and to conduct a nutrition intervention programme using the Black Churches as a setting. Methodology: Cross-sectional survey. Participants were volunteers and first generation Ghanaian migrant who were congregants of Black Churches in London (n=288). Information on dietary intake was obtained from multiple repeated 24-hour recalls in a sub-sample (n=68) of the survey participants. The food frequency questionnaire was developed using the most commonly reported foods and portion sizes, field tested, shortened and then validated with multiple 24hr recalls (n=68). Information was also collected on height, weight, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and percentage body fat which was measured using a portable bioelectric impedance analyzer (n=212). Participants from London (n=45) and Ghana (n=79) completed questionnaires to collect information on their ideal size and other body-shape related questions using the Figure Rating Scale (FRS). The nutrition intervention programme (n=76) was developed with input from participants through focus groups and the Obesity Clinic at the London Metropolitan University. Participants were assigned to either the intervention or control group and information on socio-demography, dietary intake and anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline, 6 weeks and at 3 months to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention programme. Results: Energy and the percentage energy from fat intake of Ghanaian migrants (1987 kcal, fat 35.3%) was similar to that of the host population (1972kcal, fat 35.4%) but carbohydrate and fibre intake was different (carbohydrate 50.1%, fibre 16.4g vs 48.1%, 13.9g) for migrant Ghanaians and host population respectively. Energy under-reporting was 31% for this survey and was associated with gender and body mass index. The food frequency questionnaire performed well relative to 7 multiple 24-hour recalls with correlations increasing after adjusting for energy (protein r= 0.71, fat r=0.69, carbohydrate r=0.54, fibre r=0.69). Participants were correctly classified in the same (34%) or adjacent quartile (54%) for most nutrients with only 3% to 9% of participants mis-classified into opposite quartiles. Bland-Altman plots were within limits of agreement for all the macro-nutrients. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher in female migrant Ghanaians using body mass index (67%) compared to the host population (58%) but prevalence was lower when percentage body fat was used (female 40%). There was a cultural shift in acceptability of overweight and obese body sizes and shapes among Ghanaians with 60% of Ghanaian males preferring Ghanaian females with a normal body size. The nutrition intervention programme was conducted over 6 weeks and changes were observed in energy (intervention - 250kcal vs -135kcal (NS)) and fat intake (intervention -3.8g (p=0.04) vs control -2.1g (NS). Waist circumference decreased by 2.2cm (p=0.05) for the intervention group after 6 weeks. After 3 months fat intake decreased by 7.3g (p=0.000) for the intervention group and 10.4g (p=0.04) for the control group. Changes in anthropometry still persisted after 3 months for body weight (-2.3kg, p=0.001), body mass index (-1.4kg/m², p=0.001) waist circumference (-3.3cm, p=0.04) and % body fat (-2.0%, p=0.01) for the intervention group. Changes in anthropometry were also observed in the control group for weight (-0.9kg, p=0.05), waist circumference (-1.9cm, p=0.006) and waist-hip ratio (-0.1, p=0.03). Conclusion: The dietary intake of Ghanaian migrants in the UK is similar to the host population. The food frequency questionnaire developed specifically for this population is an adequate dietary assessment tool. Ghanaian males preferred females with normal body sizes. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher in female migrant Ghanaians compared to the host population and the Black Churches are an effective setting for the delivery of nutrition intervention programmes

Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) Programme in Building Technology at the Sunyani Polytechnic Based On the Competency-Based Training (CBT) Model: A Review

The Bachelor Technology (B-Tech) in Building Technology programme was introduced at the Sunyani Polytechnic as part of measures towards providing an academic progression route for HND Building Technology graduates and to train professionally competent manpower to help improve the construction industry in Ghana. The competency-based training (CBT) model was adopted as the mode of training. This paper seeks to review the B-Tech (Building Technology) programme, in line with the CBT model, since its inception at the Sunyani polytechnic. The study involved interviewing stakeholders like staff of polytechnic, employers and graduates of the programme. Relevant materials like annual evaluation reports and accreditation documents were also consulted. It was discovered that an adapted version of CBT was employed in the implementation of the programme with the internship phase of the training being the highpoint in the CBT practice. Logistical constraints and low familiarity with the CBT concept were identified as some constraints to the implementation of the program in line with CBT. Keywords: Competency-Based Training, Bachelor of Technology, Building Technology, Sunyani Polytechnic

Uncanny Objects and the Fear of the Familiar:Hiding from Akan Witches in New York City

This article examines the cosmology and secret practices of West African traditional priests in New York City in preventing the spread of witchcraft, an evil invisible spirit transmitted between female members of the Akan matrilineage. Explored is an uncanny dynamic as everyday habitus becomes increasingly strange in the world of a young Ghanaian woman in the Bronx, who has become petrified of insinuations of witchcraft from close family members. In trying to hide the young woman from infection by her fellow witches, Akan priests attempt to ‘capture’ her habits and everyday routines, calling upon the iconic magic of New York City in order to ‘misplace’ familiarity within the anonymity of Manhattan. In this process, the transmission of the witch’s spirit to the intended victim is disturbed as the victim’s life and things are moved. Nowhere to be found, the witch shifts her attention to other victims

Police views of suicidal persons and the law criminalizing attempted suicide in Ghana: A qualitative study with policy implications

The penal code of Ghana condemns suicide attempt. The present study sought to explore the views of the police on persons who attempt suicide and the law criminalizing the act. Qualitative in-depth interviews were used to explore the views of 18 officers of the Ghana Police Service. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis technique. Findings showed that the police officers profiled suicide attempters as needy, enigmatic, ignorant, and blameworthy. Majority (n = 14) of them disagreed with the law and suggested a repeal, whereas only four of them agreed with the law. Regardless of their positions on criminalization, they showed an inclination to help, rather than arrest, when confronted with such persons in line of their duty. Educating the police on suicidal behavior may help to deepen their understanding and help improve the way they handle suicidal persons. This may also strengthen police suicide prevention gatekeeping obligations

Victim, perpetrator, and offense characteristics in filicide and filicide-suicide

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review of most recent studies of parental and stepparental filicide. A detailed review of the literature revealed the importance of certain demographic, environmental, and psychosocial factors in the commission of child homicide. Our findings indicate that filicides perpetrated by genetic parents and stepparents differ considerably in terms of underlying motivational factors. Data in the literature suggest that biological parents are more likely to choose methods of killing which produce quick and painless death, whereas stepparents frequently kill their wards by beating. Research results demonstrate the victims of maternal filicides to be significantly younger than the victims of paternal filicides. Additionally, filicide–suicide is most often associated with parental psychopathology. Genetic fathers are at the greatest risk of death by suicide after the commission of familicide. These findings are discussed in relation to theoretical frameworks explaining the occurrence of child murder. Further, limitations of reviewed studies and directions for future research are presented

Examining colorectal cancer screening uptake and health provider recommendations among underserved middle aged and older African Americans

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine whether underserved middle-aged and older African Americans are receiving a colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy) and if recommended by their provider. Additionally, we examined correlates of both provider recommendation and uptake of CRC screening. Methods: Seven hundred forty African American individuals, aged 55 and older, participated in this local community cross-sectional survey. We used a multivariate technique of logistic regression. Results: One out of three participants reported that they never received a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for CRC screening. More than 31% indicted that their providers never suggested CRC testing. However, participants who indicated that their providers recommended sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy were almost 49 times (odds ratio [OR]: 48.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 29.5–81.2) more likely to obtain it compared to their counterparts who were not advised to have these procedures. Our data suggest that African American men were significantly less likely than women to receive recommendations from their providers (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.50-0.91). Furthermore, controlling for other variables, the following factors: 1) living arrangement (OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.02–2.04), 2) health maintenance organization (HMO) membership (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.28–2.67), 3) number of providers (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01–1.32), 4) satisfaction with access to and quality of care (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03–1.51), 5) depressive symptoms (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.98), and 6) gastrointestinal conditions (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.16–2.58) were associated with obtaining a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy test. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the absence of a provider recommendation is the primary barrier preventing underserved older African Americans from obtaining CRC screening. In addition, our data revealed significant association between obtaining CRC screening and some of the predisposing characteristics of participants, satisfaction with access to and quality of care, and physical and mental health. These findings are consistent with this notion that disparities in health care for African Americans can be traced back to four primary factors: patients, healthcare providers, the healthcare system, and society as a whole, and emphasize the need for establishing theory-driven, culturally-sensitive, and cost-effective CRC screening interventions that recognize and address the constraints to cancer screening experienced by this segment of population

African personhood, Humanism, and critical Sankofaism: the case of male suicide in Ghana

Suicide in Ghana is criminalised and those who survive suicide attempts are subject to significant social condemnation. Paradoxically, studies show that male suicide is often driven by individuals’ strong sense of responsibility to meet social norms and expectations around gender as well as the internalisation of societal views that death would be preferable to shame and disgrace. This contradiction prompts a critical re-examination of the communitarian tradition of African personhood which posits an intimate link between the individual attainment of socially affirmed roles and the status of personhood. Through an analysis of the Akan concept of critical sankofaism I suggest that African approaches to suicide may draw upon important adaptive, critical resources internal to African cultural values, thus highlighting the progressive potential of the African tradition. I show specifically how male gender norms and societal responses to suicide attempts distort core humanistic values at the heart of African communitarian personhood