Improved Access To Safe Abortion Needed To Reduce Maternal Death Rate In Ghana, Advocate Says

24.11.2008 Ghana's government should increase efforts to encourage safe abortion procedures and provide reproductive health education to reduce its maternal mortality rate, Jehu Appiah -- country director of Ipas Ghana -- said in a recent speech during an advocate training meeting at the University of Ghana, Ghana's Statesman reports. According to Appiah, unsafe abortion procedures account for 30% of maternal deaths in Ghana. Many Ghanaians overlook the 1985 law that legalized abortion, Appiah said, adding that government enforcement is needed to ensure safe access to abortion procedures. Appiah said cultural and religious beliefs also contribute to maternal deaths from unsafe abortions. He added that women often "opt for abortion whenever they get pregnant" and "use all sort of means to just get rid of the pregnancy because of public ridicule."