Increasing Incidence of Abortion

The revelation by the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA), Nii Addokwei Addo, that more than hundred black polythene bags containing aborted human foetus are picked up daily in the Metropolis, (see Graphic of August 12), made shocking reading. He is reported to have said that this act is practiced mainly by 'kayaye' (female porters) and destitute teenagers.

An issue that readily arises from the above is that the use of contraceptives may have increased among certain sections of the society, but definitely not with this segment of the population. Initial contacts made with some 'kayaye' over the weekend revealed that many of them had multiple sexual partners who abhorred the use of condoms. Those The Dispatch talked to had no idea of any form of female contraceptives.

A couple of them said they often slept in open places or on premises where the various watchmen or security officers made them pay with sexual favours, the failure of which meant ejection.

The AMA boss' shocking revelation should set the various organizations re- thinking or re-drawing their public education campaigns, especially those in the field of sex education and family planning.

Fortunately, since these 'kayaye' belong to an association, it should be fairly easy to target them. The various radio and television stations can also be made to carry relevant educational material in the local languages.

Another lesson to the various organizations in the field of sex and family planning education is to limit the holding of seminars in air-conditioned premises and move in to the localities where such programmes are actually needed.