Ghana

OVERVIEW

In Ghana, contraception (birth control) is available without a prescription. However, modern contraceptive methods are not widely used, especially among poor women. Emergency contraception (the morning after pill) is available without a prescription and there are no age restrictions. There are no travel restrictions tied to HIV status, and more open-minded STD/STI testing facilities (that work with the queer, sex worker and HIV-positive communities) can be found. While abortion is not legal in all cases, it is legal under many circumstances and is certainly practiced in Ghana. For those interested in any women's health services, such as gynecological exams or referrals for abortion providers, Marie Stopes Ghana is a good places to consult first.

Contraception (Birth Control)

General Note: There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Ghana, you can purchase contraception (birth control) without a prescription. While contraceptives are available, they are not widely used by Ghanaian woman. In 2008, a study found that 17% of married women and 28% of sexually active unmarried women were using modern contraceptives. Furthermore, 35% of married women and 20% of sexually active unmarried women had unmet family planning needs. In particular, poor Ghanaian women had the lowest levels of contraceptive use. One of the main reasons reasons that Ghanaian women (34%) didn't use contraceptives was fear of health risks or side effects.

This low level of contraceptive usage often results in unintended pregnancies. While many of the women did not a child at the time of the 2008 study, or they did not want children at all, they were not using contraceptive methods. As a result, 37% of pregnancies in Ghana are unintended, 23% are mistimed and 145 are unwanted. In 2008, family size in Ghana had decreased to 4 children (as opposed to 6.4 children in 1988). However, family planning needs and sexual education still have major inroads to make in Ghanaian society.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Ghana, you can purchase birth control pills without a prescription at pharmacies. Some brands you can expect to see are Ovrette, Lo-Femenal and Microgynon-30.
• Lydia provides contraceptive options for women in Ghana, including oral contraceptives and Lydia 'Safeload' IUD. "Lydia Contraceptive is a trademark of DKT International, an NGO and one of the largest private providers of family planning and reproductive health products and services in the developing world. DKT International Inc. Ghana was established in 2011 with its head office in Accra. DKT Ghana has a core mission to provide SRH products and services to the people of Ghana." Check out the website for details.
• Marie Stopes International - Ghana: "Marie Stopes International Ghana (MSI Ghana) has become a leader in the provision of quality family planning services, a voice for collaboration between the private sector, NGOs and Ghana Health Services on critical issues of women’s health, and an innovator of strategies to reach under-served women and families... Through the USAID-funded Strengthening International Family Planning Organizations (SIFPO) project, MSI Ghana will increase access to and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health services among the female porters (Kayayei) in Accra and develop referrals for gender-based violence services." Contact: Marie Stopes International Ghana, C900/4 Mensah Sarbah Road, Kokomelemle, Accra North, Ghana. Telephone: +223 (0) 544 340 153 / +233 (0) 302 241 517. Email: info@mariestopes.org.gh.

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Ghana, you purchase emergency without a prescription. There are no age restrictions. In the public and private health sectors, the lowest cadre of health workers who are allowed to sell or dispense EC are community health workers. In 2008, it was estimated that 2.9% of Ghanaian women of reproductive age had ever used EC, and 35.4% of women of reproductive age had knowledge of EC.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• In Ghana, you can purchase emergency (morning after pill) without a prescription at pharmacies. Some brands you can expect to find are NorLevo 1.5mg (take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex) and Pregnon (take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex).
• If you can't access dedicated emergency contraception, you can use birth control pills as replacement EC instead. To do this with progestin-only pills, you can take Ovrette (take 40 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex). To do this with progestin-estrogen combined pills, you can take Lo-Femenal or Microgynon-30 (take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later). For combined pills with in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used.
• Lydia provides emergency contraception (called "Lydia PostPil") to women in Ghana. Check out the website for details.

Costs

In 2014, the average cost of EC ranged from 4 to 19 Cedis ($1.20 - $5.78).

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

There are no travel restrictions related to STD/STI status in Ghana.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Testing Facilities

To see a full list of Ghanaian hospitals and clinics that provide STI testing (and are LGBT-friendly and sex worker-friendly), click here.

Check out the city pages, like the Accra page, for local recommendations.

Support

• Korle Bu Hospital: Fevers Unit, Accra, Phone +233 21 674 061-7, ext. 6328, 5328.
• GTZ (German Development Cooperation) - Regional AIDS Programme. P.O. Box 9698. K.I.A., Accra. E-mail: gtzrap@ghana.com.
• National AIDS Control Programme (Govt.) School of Hygiene - Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital: P.O. Box 2848, Accra. Phone: +233 21 662 691
• Ghana AIDS Commission (Govt.): P.O. Box CT 5169, Cantonments Accra. Phone: +233 21 782 262 / 782 263. Fax: +233 21 782 264. Web: www.ghanaids-gov.gh. E-mail: ghanaids@ghana.com.
• AIDS Alert - Ghana (NGO): P.O. Box C 229. Cantonments Accra. Phone: +233 21 772 827.

Medications & Vaccines

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Ghana has an HPV vaccination pilot program, as of 2016.
• There are no known PrEP programs in Ghana.

Menstruation

Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click here.

What to Get & Where to Get It

You can pads pads and pantyliners are widely available in Ghana. Tampons are also available in supermarkets or pharmacies. Regarding menstrual cups, you may be able to buy the Luv Ur Body Menstrual Cup online through the Wopeden website, a Ghanaian e-commerce company. Also, Alliance for African Women Initiative (AFAWI) has partnered with Ruby Cup to bring over 200 menstrual cups to adolescent girls in the Greater Accra region. However, there are no known sellers of DivaCup, MoonCup, LadyCup or Lunette in Ghana, so those brands should be purchased online.

Gynecological Exams

What to Get & Where to Get It

Check out the city pages, like the Accra page, for local recommendations.

Pregnancy

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Divine Mother and Child Foundation: This NGO is in Ghana (but not in Accra). "Divine Mother and Child Foundation(DMAC FOUNDATION) is a not for profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) to identify, address and prevent complications that arise during pregnancy, labor and postpartum periods and ultimately decrease maternal and infant mortality rates in Ghana." Tel: 0342197398. Mob:0249396497. info@dmacfoundation.org. inquiry@dmacfoundation.org.

Abortion

Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Ghana, abortion is permitted under certain circumstances, which include: cases of rape, incest, "defilement of a female idiot," if the woman's life or health is endangered by the pregnancy, or if there is risk of fetal abnormality. In all other cases, abortion is illegal. The guidelines for a safe abortion were established by the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health.

Important Note: According to a 2010 report, "Maternal mortality is the second most common cause of death among women in Ghana, and more than one in 10 maternal deaths (11%) are the result of unsafe induced abortions.1 In addition, a substantial proportion of women who survive an unsafe abortion experience complications from the procedure. This suffering is all the more tragic because it is unnecessary: Many women likely turn to unsafe providers or do not obtain adequate postabortion care when it is needed because they are unaware that abortion is legal on fairly broad grounds in Ghana."

What to Get & Where to Get It

• Marie Stopes International Ghana: They should be able to help you or direct you to appropriate services. Address: No. 36 Akwei St, Tesano-Accra, Accra, Ghana. Call +233302 20 85 85, 0800-2 85 85.
• Some hospitals to check out: La General Hospital, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital Reproductive Health Center, Dansoman Polyclinic (Family Planning Unit), Achimota Hospital (Family Planning Unit), Ridge Hospital (Family Planning Unit), Mamprobi Polyclinic (Family Planning Unit).

List of Additional Resources

• Oasis for Safety: "Oasis for Safety (OFS) is non-profit, non-governmental organization registered in Ghana. West Africa & the UK. Public benefit is central to the work of OFS. The desire is to do the best for all beneficiaries. The Foundation has a dual mission to improve the birthing experience for women in Ghana and to effect a reduction in maternal mortality; and also to address domestic violence issues in partnership with contributors and sponsors. A lot of the activities of OFS impacts on public health. We have no political objectives."