The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) Sanitation Court has imposed fines of GH¢600 each, equivalent to 50 penalty units, on 21 traders at the Agbogbloshie Market for various sanitation-related offences.

These offences include selling at unauthorised locations, obstructing public pathways, and blocking access roads with tricycles, popularly known as “Pragya”.

Those fined include John Koko, Adu Ibrahim, Donald Koku, Anthony Ngambe, Baadal Aku, Christiana Okai, Peter Yayir, Dalodo Elivah, Ofori Amos, Bilidone Jacob, Jacob Basah, and Emmanuel Naja, who were found guilty of selling at unauthorised places and obstructing public pathways.

Others, such as Simon Bilah, Daniel Okai, Joe Boakye, and Noah Nassim, were charged with obstructing public roads with their tricycles.

Speaking after the judgement, Head of Public Affairs at the AMA, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, said the offenders were prosecuted after being apprehended by Public Health Officers during a routine inspection exercise at the Agbogbloshie Market aimed at enforcing the city’s sanitation bye-laws.

He said the fines serve as a deterrent to others who continue to disregard sanitation and public order regulations, stressing that the Assembly remained committed to restoring discipline, cleanliness, and safety within the metropolis.

He noted that the exercise formed part of ongoing enforcement operations following the successful relaunch of the National Sanitation Day initiative, which emphasises shared responsibility among residents, traders, and business operators in maintaining a clean city.

He cautioned all residents and traders to keep their surroundings clean and avoid selling on open drains, walkways, or unauthorised areas, warning that defaulters would be apprehended and prosecuted without hesitation.

Head of Public Health at the AMA, Florence Kuukyi, said the court considered it as the offenders’ first appearance, hence the fine and warned that subsequent offenders would face stiffer penalties, including imprisonment.

She disclosed that all 21 offenders promptly paid their fines before the close of work at 4:30 p.m. on the same day, as none was willing to serve the three-month jail term at the Nsawam Prison, adding that they were all made to sign a bond not to sell on the road or by the roadside.

Madam Kuukyi explained that the enforcement operation at Agbogbloshie was part of a three-phase sanitation and decongestion exercise being implemented by the AMA to restore order in the markets.

She outlined that the first phase would focus on clearing traders selling on drains and roadsides to free up pedestrian and vehicular traffic, while the second phase would tackle traders displaying wares on the ground inside the market, with the third phase focusing on addressing food vendors cooking within the market to prevent potential fire outbreaks.

She emphasised that the AMA had already engaged traders and educated them on proper trading practices and market hygiene but noted that some remain adamant.

“Our goal is to transform the market before moving to other areas, ensuring it is clean, safe, and accessible for customers and that the public can shop in a hygienic environment,” she said.