Three Arraigned in Awutu Senya East for Sanitation Offences
The Environmental and Sanitation Office in Awutu Senya East has arrested and arraigned three individuals for various sanitation-related offences. The accused were brought before the Akweley District Court on Tuesday after failing to respond to earlier invitations and court summons, prompting the issuance of bench warrants.
The offences included discharging wastewater in the open, dumping and burning refuse, and the continued use of pit latrines.
The first accused, Ebenezer Otoo, was charged with open dumping and burning of waste. Margaret Yeboah, the second accused, was charged with using a pit latrine, while Abdul Aziz, the third accused, was charged with discharging wastewater into the open.
While Otoo and Aziz pleaded guilty, Yeboah pleaded not guilty before the court, presided over by Mrs. Annie Adobor.
In her ruling, the magistrate acquitted and discharged Abdul Aziz after evidence showed he had since fixed the drain that had been discharging wastewater into the open.
The cases of Otoo and Yeboah, however, were adjourned. Both were granted bail of GHC20,000 each, with Otoo requiring two sureties and Yeboah one surety. Otoo is expected to register with a recognized waste management company before his next appearance on Monday, September 29, while Yeboah will reappear on Friday, October 10.
Speaking after the hearing, Mr. Paa Kwesi Asiedu, Environmental Health Officer in Charge of Prosecution, cautioned that the enforcement of sanitation laws—previously carried out by the “tankass” (Town Council)—remains active, and warned that recalcitrant individuals would face prosecution.
He also lamented the numerous challenges confronting sanitation officers in the municipality, including threats of physical and verbal attacks. He further disclosed that the unit lacks essential logistics such as rakes, wheelbarrows, dustbins, and brooms, and appealed for support to strengthen their operations.
Source – My News Ghana
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