11 people sentenced for environmental offences

Suhum (E/R), Feb. 18, GNA- A magistrate court in Suhum, on Friday sentenced 11 people to a fine of between 200,000 and 500,000 cedis each or in default three months imprisonment for committing various environmental offences.

They included Anti Yaa, Rose Narzala, Issahatu Babana, Kofi Akakpo, Madam Lamatu, Azinci Musah, Rose Abigail, Mabel Kukua, Juliana Yaa, Ama Sewah and Koryo Awenye.

They were charged with keeping unclean bathrooms, indiscriminately dumping of refuse and human excreta around their houses, improper keeping of sheep and goats and allowing the animals to defecate indiscriminately at public places, and disposal of offensive liquid waist from cassava dough into public drains.

The accused persons pleaded guilty with explanations, but their pleas were not accepted by the court, presided over by Mr E.M. Essandoh. The court issued a bench warrant for the arrest of six other persons who failed to appear before the court for the same offences. According to Senior Environmental Officer, Mr. Philip Tawiah, last year, the Suhum/Kraboa/Coaltar District Assembly launched an environmental week to educate the people on the need to keep their surroundings clean to avoid the outbreak of epidemic.

He said subsequently, Environmental Health Inspectors went to inspect some communities in the area, and found out that the accused persons violated environmental laws of the district assembly, and therefore served them with sermons to appear before the court.