Health Assistant and two others stand trial for illegal abortion

Bibiani (W/R), Aug. 26, GNA - A Health Assistant at Sefwi Tanoso, arrested for performing an illegal abortion on a 16 year-old girl, has appeared before a Bibiani Circuit Court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ankamah. Victor Mawusi Bebli is standing trial together with the girl's stepfather, John Apedo, whose baby she was alleged to be carrying, and the mother, Akua Gyamfuaa.

They pleaded not guilty to the crime and were granted bail in the sum totalling GH¢75,000.00, to re-appear on September 7. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Raymond Kofi Erzuah told the court that the girl lives with the mother and stepfather at Sefwi Akoti. For some time now Apedo had been having sex with her, resulting in a pregnancy.

The prosecution said when Gyamfuaa got to know of what had happened sh= e decided to terminate it to avoid public ridicule and save the image of her family. She therefore took her to see Bebli at Sefwi-Tanoso who agreed to remove the foetus.

DSP Erzuah said as information about the girl's pregnancy and subsequent termination circulated in the Sefwi-Akoti community, the elders confronted Apredo with the facts they had received and he admitted having had sex with her. He pleaded for forgiveness and provided two fowls', bottle of schnap= ps and other items for rituals to be performed to pacify the gods for the abomination. A formal report was later made to the police by one of the elders, Prince Kofi Amoako, leading to the arrest of the accused.