Catechist fined for environmental offence

Suhum, Aug. 24, GNA- The Suhum Magistrate's Court has sentenced a catechist of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana to a fine of 300,000 or in default, three months imprisonment for failing to keep the Mission House and its surrounding clean.

The court, presided over by Lt. Col. Alex Kofi Ayeh (rtd), found the Catechist at Teacher Mante, near Suhum, Mr Samuel Ayeh guilty. The accused who was charged with unsanitary bathroom and over-grown weeds around the Mission House, pleaded guilty.

Prosecuting, a Principal Environmental Officer, Mr Philip Tawiah said on June 24, this year, the environmental officer in-charge of Teacher-Mante zone, Mr Stephen Agyeman, on his normal inspection rounds, entered the Mission House and found unsanitary bathroom and over-grown weeds around the house.

He said when the accused person's attention was drawn it, he became offended and started insulting the environmental officer. He was therefore issued with summons.

The presiding Magistrate in his remarks, condemned the behaviour of the Catechist and said as a leader of a Church, he should rather be role model to members of the church.