Accra

Ghana / Accra

OVERVIEW

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.

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.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.