Seven convicted for open defecation, illegal dumping in Accra

Seven individuals have been convicted by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court for defecating in public and dumping waste at unauthorized sites across the city.

The court handed each offender a fine of 50 penalty units, equivalent to GH₵600, or three months’ imprisonment if the fine is not paid.

The convicted include Albert Quaye, Kwame Owusu Ansah, Daniel Nunoo, Razak Siedu, Haruna Abdul Rauf, Desmond Okeyika, and Moro Sebere. Their arrest followed a special AMA enforcement operation on October 7, 2025, during which Public Health Officers caught them in the act of violating sanitation laws.

Her Lordship Rosemond Vera Aryeetey, who presided over the case, said the convictions were necessary to enforce compliance with city sanitation regulations. AMA officials emphasized that open defecation and improper waste disposal endanger public health and contribute to outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and other infections.

Gilbert Nii Ankrah, Head of Public Affairs for the AMA, explained that the arrests are part of the “Reset Accra” initiative aimed at improving sanitation across the capital. He added that additional offenders have already been apprehended and are awaiting court proceedings.

“This effort is crucial to protect residents and maintain a cleaner city,” Mr. Ankrah stated. He called on Accra residents to stop illegal dumping, support sanitation campaigns like ‘Clean Accra Now,’ and work with authorities to ensure a healthier environment.

The AMA reiterated its commitment to monitoring sanitation practices and holding offenders accountable. Officials stressed that sustained community cooperation is vital to achieving the city’s goal of cleanliness and public safety.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has summoned several shop owners who defied closure orders during the National Sanitation Day exercise held on Saturday, October 4.

The offenders are expected to appear before court on Monday to answer for their actions.

Public Relations Officer of the AMA, Gilbert Ankrah, said sanitation and public health officers were quickly dispatched after reports of non-compliance were received from some business areas. “What we noticed was that there were a couple of shop owners who had opened their shops, and quickly we had sanitation and public health officers moving in to deal with them,” he explained. “They were given summons and will be arraigned before court on Monday.”

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The nationwide clean-up exercise, spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, is part of government’s renewed effort to promote environmental cleanliness and civic responsibility. The Minister, Ahmed Ibrahim, joined the exercise in Accra alongside the Mayor, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.