The Sanitation Court in Accra has fined two persons an amount of ¢960 each equivalent to 80 penalty units for allowing their herd of cattle to stray, causing traffic congestion and posing danger to motorists in the Metropolis.  

The two, Issah Oblikwei, 58 and Rafik Tagoe, 40, were also ordered by the court to relocate their cattle from James Town within three months. 

According to the prosecution, the herdsmen were arrested by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly's Environmental Health Officers during their routine inspection on June 19 when they spotted stray cattle numbering 21 along the Korle Bu main road.

They then followed up to effect the arrest.

The court also fined Kamal Alhassan a squatter an amount of ¢240 for building at an unauthorised location.

Alhassan who pleaded guilty was given a three months ultimatum to demolish the structures located at Adedenkpo in Accra.   

Two other squatters Mary Odurowaa 36, Richard Yaaba 40 who pleaded not guilty were granted bail of ¢1500 each.

Another, Jacob Norgbegi, 50, was granted bail of ¢1000.

All four squatters were arrested following a bench warrant issued by the court. 

Head of the AMA Public Health Department, Madam Florence Kuukyi, in an interview, said straying of cattle in the Metropolis is a nuisance to motorists and pedestrians. 

She said under the Assembly's 2017 bye-laws "it is an offence for cattle owners to bring their cattle to the residential areas and the streets," adding that the law mandates owners to confine their kraal outside residential and other authorized areas.

She explained that it's prohibited for a person to keep swine, cattle, sheep or goat and other wildlife in any town/community in the area of authority of the Assembly, without a permit issued by the Assembly for that purpose.

 "Notwithstanding the above provisions a person may keep animals within the area of authority of the Assembly for the purpose of domestic, religious, commercial or customary purpose if that person ensures that the animal is kept in a well-maintained pen/kraal and always kept clean," she added. 

Kuukyi mentioned that in the case of large numbers of cattle, owners must ensure that proper sanitation and other conditions or rules specified by the Environmental Health Department (EPA) and other relevant agencies are adhered to.

She disclosed that in the case of goats and sheep the number to be kept in any "dwelling house" shall not exceed 10.

She admonished all citizens, to be law-abiding to ensure a clean city where all could live in and love it.