Court convicts two over illegal abortion

The Assin Fosu Magistrate’s Court has convicted a 40-year-old hairdress­er and a 21-year-old Auto Electrician, to a fine of GH¢4,800.00 each for inducing a 17-year-old girl to commit illegal abortion.

The convicts, Charlotte Asiedu, who administered a concoction to the girl, was charged with the offence of committing illegal abortion whilst Tetteh, the victim’s boyfriend, was charged with abetment of crime.

They both pleaded guilty to the charges before the court presided over by Mr Abdul Majid Iliasu.

Prosecuting, Inspector Matilda Osaah­Buabeng said Madam Victoria Arthur, a trader and the victim’s mother, is the com­plainant who resides in Assin Fosu.

She said the victim, a senior high school form three student, noticed she was 17 weeks pregnant whilst in school.

Insp. Buabeng said the victim during her vacation from school, informed Tetteh about her condition, but he advised her to tell her mother about it, but the victim refused to do so out of fear.

The Prosecutor said the girl demanded GH¢200 from Tetteh to buy some drugs at a pharmacy shop, but the pharmacist refused to sell the drugs to them with the reason that the pregnancy had advanced.

The Prosecutor said Tetteh discussed his ordeal with a friend who recommended Ms Asiedu who prepared a concoction and charged GH¢200.00.

Insp. Buabeng said shortly after the victim took the concoction, she started experiencing severe stomach pains and was rushed to the St Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu for treatment.

The policewoman said the victim was put under forced labour after an examination revealed the fetus had died. Subsequently, an official complaint was made by Madam Arthur to the police and the convicts were subse­quently arrested and charged.