In an effort to combat open defecation and promote good hygiene practices, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), in collaboration with Joy News' Operation "Clean Your Surroundings" Taskforce, has arrested ten individuals for openly defecating in public places across the metropolis.

According to the Metropolitan Environmental Health Director, Mr Abdul Kareem Hudu, the culprits, who have been identified as Francis Anderson, Adam Ussif, Kropah Wilson, Ishmael Jackson, George Aborah, Robert Olu, Sadick Zakaria, Francis Dumson, Michael Thompson, and David Ainoo, were apprehended in at various places across the metropolis between 3 am to 6 am.

Mr Hudu said,“we have arrested 10, but today there is no female so we were able to put them in the cell”.

This is part of the assembly's ongoing efforts to eliminate open defecation in the metropolis and ensure a clean and hygienic environment for residents. Each culprit was fined a spot fee of GH¢400.00 and strongly cautioned to refrain from such practices, with the risk of prosecution if they offend again.

The Metro Environmental Health officer, Abdul Karim Hudu, who led the task force, reiterated the assembly's commitment to eradicating open defecation in the metropolis.

He cited Section 14 of the assembly’s by-laws on solid and liquid waste management, which prohibits defecating or urinating in any public or open place other than in an approved toilet facility.

Offenders of this by-law will not only be fined but also required to undertake hard labour at a public facility.

The "Operation Clean Your Surroundings" campaign, an initiative of Joy News in partnership with the various assemblies, aims to enforce the Assembly’s environmental sanitation by-laws and encourage citizens to take responsibility for their actions.