The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court has remanded seven individuals into prison custody for engaging in open defecation in various parts of Accra. This action follows their inability to pay the court-imposed fine of 50 penalty units, equivalent to GH¢600.
The offenders, identified as Samuel Aryeequaye, Evans Derry, Kwesi Milla, Richard Quintin Coffie, Seidu Aminu, Awuaaba Michael, and Quarcoo Ernest, were apprehended during a night-time operation conducted by the AMA’s Environmental Health Officers. An eighth individual, Raphael Adjetey, who was also convicted for the same offence, managed to pay the fine and thus avoided custodial sentencing.
Speaking on the matter, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, disclosed that the arrests were made in areas such as Bubuashie, Jamestown, and Chorkor. These operations are part of the Assembly's intensified efforts to enforce sanitation by-laws and combat unsanitary practices within the metropolis.
Mr. Ankrah further highlighted that the Environmental Health Department, under the leadership of Florence Kuukyi, has initiated a 24-hour operational strategy. This approach involves sustained monitoring both during the day and night to ensure compliance with sanitation regulations, prevent public nuisances, and safeguard public health.
The AMA has reiterated its commitment to maintaining cleanliness and enhancing sanitation standards in Accra. Residents are urged to adhere to the by-laws to avoid legal repercussions and contribute to a healthier environment for all.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
