Bonded not to cause abortion

Tarkwa (w/r), June 22, GNA- A young woman standing trial at the Tarkwa circuit court for committing criminal abortion pleaded with the court not to sentence her to five years imprisonment because she had made a blood covenant with his boyfriend who was also standing trial with her. The plea was made when she attempted to explain to the court why she committed the crime and therefore should be pardoned.

According to the 21 year-old Lucy Agyeh, an apprentice seamstress at Donkokrom near Oppong Valley, her father disapproved of the relationship between her and nineteen year old driver-apprentice boyfriend, Collins Baidoo also known as Atta Panyin right from the start. On account of this she has received several beatings and threats from her father all in a bid to stop the relationship with Atta Panyin, but this rather solidified their relationship and led to the blood covenant. She said one such assault left her with severe abdominal pains, therefore when she discovered that she was pregnant the fear of what her father would do to her led her to abort the pregnancy.

Inspector Patrick Adzadza of Wassa Nsuta police said Lucy on May 15, 2007 said she was not feeling well and began to bleed profusely. Upon interrogation by the father she said she was pregnant but had been given a concoction to drink by her boyfriend to terminate it hence the bleeding. She was rushed to the Oppong Valley clinic where she received first aid treatment and later transferred to the Wassa Akropong government hospital for treatment.

A report was later made to the police at Oppong Valley and later transferred to the Prestea Police who issued a medical form for confirmation of the crime after which the accused persons were arrested. However in court today, Lucy denied telling her father that Atta Panyin had knowledge of the pregnancy and gave her the concoction to drink. Lucy said she took the concoction without anybody's influence and that she feared her father's reaction if he discovers that she was pregnant. The judge, His Honour John Ajet Nassam cautioned Lucy not to commit abortion again and to sign a bond of good behaviour. In addition he advised her to seek further medical attention to ensure that she is fully recovered from her ordeal.