The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court has found eight individuals guilty of open defecation, with seven of them being remanded in custody for failing to pay a fine of GH¢600.
The court levied a penalty of 50 units, which is equivalent to GH¢600, on each offender.
While one of the convicted individuals, Raphael Adjetey, paid the fine, the other seven were unable to do so and were therefore remanded.
The individuals who were remanded include Samuel Aryeequaye, Evans Derry, Kwesi Milla, Richard Quintin Coffie, Seidu Aminu, Awuaaba Michael, and Quarcoo Ernest.
These arrests were made following a nighttime enforcement operation carried out in various areas of Accra, such as Bubuashie, Jamestown, and Chorkor.
After the proceedings, Mr. Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, stated that the operation was led by Madam Florence Kuukyi, the Head of the Environmental Health Department, along with Environmental Health Officers.
He elaborated that the Assembly has heightened its efforts to combat unsanitary practices throughout the metropolis.
According to him, the Environmental Health Department has initiated 24-hour operations to ensure strict adherence to sanitation bylaws.
He also mentioned that officers are engaged in continuous monitoring, both during the day and at night, to mitigate public nuisance and protect public health.
