The Tema Magistrate's Court at the weekend imposed 200,000 cedis fine or three months' imprisonment each on 16 unemployed youth, mostly shoe shine boys, who defecated at unauthorised places in the Municipality.
They all pleaded guilty. Edward Sackey, who pleaded not guilty had his explanation accepted that he heard of his friend's arrest and decided to find out, but he was added to those arrested. He was cautioned and discharged.
Ekow Nicholas, who pleaded not guilty, was granted two million cedis bail with one surety to reappear on June 9.
Prosecuting, Mr E. E. Kotoku, Environmental Health Officer of the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA), told the court presided over by Mrs Florence Ninepence that on May 22, 2003, the Environmental Health and Sanitation Taskforce organised operations at various sites to arrest people, who defecate around the Fishing Harbour, VALCO Canteen, Tema Manhean and Irani Brothers Factory.
He said inspite of TMA public education programmes on the dangers of indiscriminate defecating at unauthorised places through public announcement and FM radio stations the accused persons were not bothered.
The Prosecution said the taskforce undertook the operations at between 0400 hours and 0500 hours and arrested the convicts.
He said in the course of their arrest the convicts damaged to the operational vehicle.
He said with the expected high rainfall this year, their actions could cause an outbreak of epidemic in the Municipality.
