General News of Monday, 3 March 2003

Source: Edith Efua Hiagbe

Lady, 22 Dies Through Abortion

The Tema Circuit Tribunal, presided over by His Honour S. K Teye after he had been brought to the court for causing an illegal abortion, leading to the death of his girlfriend, has placed a 29-year-old Carpenter in prison custody Afi Awuno.

Korletey Takyi, a native of Ada, who had been residing at Tema New Town, was alleged to have attempted to terminate the pregnancy he had with his 22-year-old girlfriend when things turned tragic on February 6, this year.

In the dock with Korletey were Juliana Gadzo, a fishmonger and a sister of the deceased, who had implicated with the incident.

Presenting the facts of the case, Chief Inspector Alice Gyamfi said the two lovebirds, Korletey and Afi, both live at Tema New Town and have been together for sometime now. According to the source, the mother of deceased Madam Gladys Amenudzi knew their relationship.

On February 2, this year, at about 8am, the deceased informed her mother that she was pregnant with Korletey.

However, Korletey was alleged to have given out money to her terminate the foetus.

On February 6, the deceased who was staying with her boyfriend, suddenly fell sick and while at the verge of death, Korletey who was became terrified rushed to call her mother.

Together, they rushed her to the Tema General Hospital but she could not be saved as she was pronounced dead on arrival.

It was thereafter that Korletey revealed that his lover had told him that it was her sister Juliana who gave her herbs to terminate the pregnancy. The two were therefore arrested and charged.

Upon hearing the facts of the case however, the Presiding Judge ordered the Prosecution to seek advice from the Attorney General’s Office for a fresh charge.

Consequently, the second accused, Juliana was granted a 100 million cedis bail with two sureties while Korletey was remanded into prison custody.

Meanwhile the Police have indicated that an autopsy performed on the body should be sent to the Ghana standards board for confirmation of the medicine the deceased used.