Abortion could cause cervical cancer – Population Officer

Miss Freda Owusu-Ansah, Deputy Western Regional Population Officer, on Monday said wrong abortion procedures by quack doctors could cause cervical cancer.

She said this at a one-day workshop organized by the National Policy Council (NPC) for 60 dressmaking apprentices as part of this year’s World Population Day at Kojokrom near Takoradi.

The day was under the theme “Adolescent Pregnancy ; A Hindrance to harnessing the development potentials of young people in Ghana”.

Miss Owusu-Ansah said insertion of unauthorized instruments into “The neck of the womb could cause  sore resulting in cervical cancer”.

She said anything that damages or injures the cervice could cause cervical cancer.

Miss Owusu-Ansah said the laws of the country allow abortion by qualified medical doctors in cases of incest, rape and when the woman has health problems.

She asked young people to abstain from pre-marital sex to avoid unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

Mr Frank Ofosu-Asante, the Regional Population Officer, said unwanted pregnancies led to abortions which could affect the development potentials of young people.

“We want a world where every pregnancy is wanted and every birth is safe”, he said.

Mr Ofosu-Asante said unwanted pregnancies could affect the career of young people with its attendant psychological and emotional problems.

He said the country’s population is growing and if this is not controlled, a lot of pressure would be put on social amenities, high doctor/patient ratio, and housing.

Mr Ofosu-Asante said uncontrolled population will also lead to street children and juvenile conflicts.

Source: GNA