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26.09.2012 Health & Fitness

Ghanaians frown on killing to end pain

By Myjoyonline.com | Benedicta Anane
Mr. Fred DegbeMr. Fred Degbe
26.09.2012 LISTEN

A section of Ghanaians would rather endure a painful chronic sickness than to resort to suicide.

Many respondents to a vox pop aired on Joy FM's Ultimate Health programme Tuesday, frowned on euthanasia- "practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering."

They said God is the giver of life and He is the only one who has the right to take it back at his own time.

A Private Legal Practitioner, Professor Ken Attafuah told Joy FM that a person commits a first degree felony when he attempts to commit suicide.

He said the constitution of this country does not allow for euthanasia, insisting the only deaths recognised by law can be natural or through capital punishment.

Adding his voice to the subject, the Chairman of Ghana Anti Corruption Coalition (GACC), Reverend Dr. Fred Degbe, said committing suicide, assisted suicide and conspiring to commit murder is punishable by law.

Referring to a statement made by Prof. Attafuah, he said in Ghana, an attempt to commit suicide attracts a prison sentence of nothing less than 14 years with hard labour. He has however advised people to hold their life dear to their hearts, adding that, it is not biblical to kill and killing is punishable by law.

Contrary to the perception that one may be doing well by assisting a chronically ill person to end his life, Rev. Degbe said it is simply not right, advising everyone to guard their lives with diligence till their maker takes them back.


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