Award winning film producer/director and Chief Executive Officer of Sparrow Productions, Shirley Frimpong-Manso, has said that it is high time that the sensitisation of the public, as far as abortion is concerned, increases.
Shirley, who was speaking to Citi Showbiz, after the premier of episodes 7 and 8 of her new political drama series Shampaign, said that if Ghana, as a nation, wants to prevent more deaths through illegal abortions, then we must talk about it more often and more openly. She added that the youth, especially young girls, must understand that the act is a choice and is not something evil that must be done in the dark.
“The [fact] of the matter is [that] if we make it [seem like] an evil thing, then everybody hides to do it. But when we talk about it and engage in some [open and candid] conversation about it, then when in that situation, especially as a young girl, you will know what to do, so we are able to cut down on the deaths that occur through abortions [that are performed] by quack doctors,” the film guru asserted.
“Abortion should be a choice, [just] like everything else, although it might depend on the circumstances. It is not as simple as don’t allow abortion, you must look at it [from] all of the angles.”
In a further interview with some cast members of Shampaign, Princess Fathia Nkrumah, who plays the role of Deborah Ceaser, the smart, sophisticated and highly intelligent daughter of a Member of Parliament and running mate of the presidential candidate, says that every woman should have a choice, when it comes to her body. She added that it is not the place of the community to judge people, who opt to have an abortion, because it is a choice.
Other cast members, such as Kabuki Akiwumi, playing the part of Mary Ann Wilson, an ambitious workaholic who is dealing with an abusive relationship and Ashiorkor, a young narcotics dealer, played by Marian Addo, all shared in Princess Fathia Nkrumah’s opinion.
On Friday, the Silverbird Cinemas at the Accra Mall were packed with film lovers, who have followed the Shampaign series, since its first episode.
The 7th and 8th episodes are centered on a young girl who, out of fear of stigmatisation, lies about her pregnancy, claiming that she has been raped. This causes national mayhem, as all of the political parties are forced to declare their stance for or against abortion, including the reigning president of the country.
Episodes 7 and 8 of Shampaign shall be screened throughout the week, every day, from 7pm to 9pm at the West Hills and Accra Malls, for GHc 30 per ticket.
This original film series stars Joselyn Dumas, J.O.T Agyeman, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Nana Aba Anamoah, John Dumelo, Fred Amugi, Zynnell Zuh, Akorfa Adjeani-Asiedu, Anima Amisa Amoah, as well as many other stellar talents.
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By: Felicia Osei/citifmonline.com/Ghana