Caught up in a manipulative, money-based relationship, Justina Donkor had five abortions by the time she was 23 years old.
Now, the 24-year-old from Koforidua, Ghana deeply regrets her abortions, and is plagued by grief and doubt about whether God can ever forgive her.
Donkor recently shared her story with Ghana Web. She urged other young women to avoid the same relationship mistakes she made.
While she was still in high school, Donkor said she became enamored with an older man. She said her life was difficult; her mother had died in a car accident, and her father had lost his job. She said her family was struggling financially, and her boyfriend began giving her gifts and money for school.
Eventually, she said they began having sex, and she became pregnant at age 18 for the first time. Afraid to tell her father, she said she told her boyfriend who encouraged her to have an abortion.
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Later, Donkor said she became pregnant again, and this time her boyfriend seemed more supportive.
According to the report:
He seemed very supportive and was anticipating of the name that will be given to the child. Few weeks later, feeling very excited of having the baby, he started behaving funny towards me and that led to the change of his behavior.
Out of the blue, he told me right in the face that, he does not want me to give birth anymore, so I should go for another abortion. I was hysterical and begged him not to make me do it. But he was very insistent and even told me if I do not abort the pregnancy, he is going to quit the relationship.
Knowing the consequences I will face if the relationship comes to an end, I heeded to his advice and had another abortion.”
In total, the young woman ended up aborting five unborn babies by the time she was 23 years old. She said she experienced severe complications after the last abortion and had to have a hysterectomy. Now, she can never have anymore children.
“My dad is not aware because I cannot inform him the mess I have done to myself. He will never forgive me if he gets to know,” she said.
No longer with her boyfriend, she urged other young women to make better choices than she did. She said she blames herself, and she probably will never marry because she does not think a good man would want her now.
“I have really regretted, and I pray God forgives me for everything I have done,” she said.
The abortion industry hides from women the intense grief and loss that many experience after their abortions. It does not want women to think about how an abortion kills their unborn babies and can damage them, too.
Pro-life advocates reach out to post-abortion women through healing programs that help them work through their grief and pain. Ministries like Rachel’s Vineyard help women realize that though they did end their child’s life, they can be forgiven by God and themselves. Find more information at RachelsVineyard.org.
