Abortion is a deeply divisive issue in many societies, including Ghana, where strong cultural and religious beliefs often influence public perceptions. Ghanaian law permits abortion under specific conditions, such as when a pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, is the result of rape or incest, or poses significant risks to the foetus. However, many people are unaware of these provisions, leading to widespread misconceptions that abortion is outright illegal.
This lack of awareness fuels stigma and prevents women from seeking safe and legal procedures. Instead, many turn to unsafe abortions carried out by untrained providers or under unhygienic conditions, often resulting in severe health complications or death. According to the Ghana Health Service, unsafe abortions remain one of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the country, highlighting the urgent need for better education and access to reproductive health services.
In this episode, we address the gap between the law and public understanding, exploring why unsafe abortions persist despite the legal framework for safe procedures. The episode also examines the societal, cultural, and systemic barriers that prevent women from accessing safe abortion care and the role of education and advocacy in reducing the prevalence of unsafe practices.
Host: Mavis Aryee
Panellists: Edmund, Margaret, Jemima, Hannatu, Ralph, Prince, Enoch, and Jemaimah.
Producer: Michael Tetteh Doku
Music
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