The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana has rejected claims that the anti-abortion stance of the Church has contributed to the high maternal mortality rate in the country.
Reproductive health expert Professor F. T Sai said the Church’s strong anti-abortion stance prevents some girls and women who need legal abortion services from doing so.
Prof. Sai lashed out at the Clergy when he took part in a discussion on maternal health and maternal mortality on the platform of the Maternal Health Channel in Accra on Tuesday.
“As for religion coming in and saying God says this…I don’t go into that argument at all…I don’t believe a person should die when the ability to save that person is there.
“…I am a Christian too but I do hear things being said from the pulpits and by our Christian leadership which makes me very very sad because we are putting lives at risk by some of the positions we take”, he said, adding that “…The position of thou shalt not”, is not helping matters.
However, speaking to XYZ News, Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey said Professor Sai‘s arguments lack substance and merit.
“The argument that Christian teaching against abortion has resulted in many mothers dying is too simple a reason to be given to the high level maternal mortality in Ghana”.
“The high level of maternal mortality is attributed to so many factors and not just Christian teaching” Rev. Professor Martey said.