The Minority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu is advocating a total ban on abortion in the country. He says abortion constitutes a violation of the constitutionally guaranteed right of the unborn child to life. Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told Joy News that while the country’s laws largely frown on the practice, there were some loopholes that allowed expectant mothers to perform abortion. Such loopholes, he argued, must be plugged to save the lives of unborn babies. The Minority Leader, who is also the Member of Parliament for Suame, contended that the argument by pro-abortion campaigners that the foetus is not human is untenable. He noted that while women may be allowed to abort to save their own lives, the decision should not rest with the individual as the exemption can be abused. He suggested the setting up of a board that will analyse each case on its merits and either allow the person to abort the baby or deny the application to do so. “People should live up to their responsibilities. The consequences of the actions that you take or engage in, should live with you. You should not say that ‘well I undertook the enterprise for fun, I’m not prepared [to have a baby], you should anticipate the consequences,” he stated. But outspoken human rights activist, Nana Oye Lithur says she is surprised at the Minority Leader’s stance on abortion. That, she said is because Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), while in government, actually adopted guidelines and protocols for “comprehensive abortion care” in the country’s health facilities – a commendable effort, in her opinion. She argued that outright banning of abortion will be dangerous for the country because many women will resort to unsafe methods of abortion which will result in needless deaths. “We cannot hear this argument about having an abortion board. It won't work. The law we have now is okay, women’s lives are being saved, and women are being counseled [on abortion]. We need to step up family planning so that women will plan their pregnancies and would have healthy babies,” she stated. Play the attached audio and listen to excerpts of the submissions of Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu and Nana Oye Lithur. Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana