Professor Nii-Boye Quarshie, President, Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana, has advised journalists against the use of sensational and inappropriate language in reporting suicide-related issues.
Such practices, he said, could cause harm and trigger copycat behaviour.
The Don said unguided and insensitive language in suicide reportage had the potential to traumatise bereaved families and friends while also increasing the risk of imitation and other harmful behaviours.
Professor Quarshie was speaking at a capacity-building workshop on appropriate media reporting on suicide in Ghana, organised by the Association for Suicide Prevention Ghana in collaboration with the Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention Research Lab of the Department of Psychology, University of Ghana with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana.
Professor Quarshie, who is also Senior Lecturer at the Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, College of Humanities, University of Ghana, urged journalists to avoid criminalising language that portrayed suicide as a crime or moral failing.
He said: “Do not use sensational language in your headlines, and as much as possible avoid using the word ‘suicide’ in headlines except where the story is about suicide prevention.”
He further cautioned journalists against describing suicide as “successful,” “unsuccessful,” or a “failed attempt,” noting that such expressions were harmful, misleading and inappropriate.
The workshop brought together selected journalists, radio hosts, editors, and reporters from Northern Ghana.
It was aimed at strengthening their capacity to apply the Ghana Guidelines for Appropriate Media Reporting on Suicide and the Ghana Suicide Reporting Scorecard to promote responsible reporting and reduce suicide risk.
Professor Quarshie urged media practitioners to exercise caution and sensitivity when interviewing bereaved families, loved ones, and friends, emphasising the need for circumspection in such engagements.
He advised journalists to handle murder and suicide cases with care noting that the circumstances surrounding such incidents could be disturbing and must be reported strictly in line with established media guidelines on suicide reporting.
Mr Ohemeng Tawiah, a journalist with the Multimedia Group, who facilitated a session on ethical reporting on suicide, urged journalists to shun sensationalism and adhere to the ethics of the media profession.
He said ethical and responsible reporting would help create awareness while contributing to efforts to minimise suicide cases in the country.
Ms Walkiyatu Issahaku, a journalist with Tamale-based Fila FM, lauded the workshop, saying it exposed participants to timely data and information that would enhance their reportage on suicide-related issues.
GNA
Edited by Eric K. Amoh/Benjamin Mensah
02 Feb 2026
