In Ghana, abortion mortality constitutes 11% of maternal mortality. Empirical studies on possible disparities in abortion
experience and access to safe abortion services are however lacking. Based on a retrospective survey of 1,370 women aged 15-49
years in two districts in Ghana, this paper examines disparities in women’s experiences of abortion and access to safe abortion
care. Disparities in rates of abortion experience and access to safe abortion care were assessed using absolute (the difference in
rates between groups), relative (the ratio of rates between selected and reference groups), and mean measures. Results suggest
that 24% of women had at least one abortion in the five years preceding the survey. However, large gradients of socio-spatial
disparities in abortion experience exist. The majority of abortions were also potentially unsafe: 53% of abortions occurred outside
of any healthcare facility. Women themselves and medical doctors, respectively, performed 57% and 4% of all abortions. The
majority of women also felt they could not get safe abortion even if they wanted one. Together, these results highlight the need
for concerted multi-sectorial strategies, including legislative reform and provision of family planning services, to help transition
from unsafe to safe abortions.