Two farmers have been fined GHS 1,200.00 each by the Toase District Court in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality of the Ashanti Region for rearing cattle in a residential area. 

Haruna Ibrahim and Musah Dawuda pleaded guilty to the charge of rearing animals in a residential area (obnoxious trade) contrary to section 54 (a) of the Public Health Act   2012, Act 851 and were convicted on their own plea. 

They would serve a month's jail term in default of the fine. 

They were also ordered by the court, presided over by Robert Addo, to relocate the animals within one month. 

Mr Prosper Argum, the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Environmental Health Analyst, presenting the facts of the case to the court, said the complainants of the case were officers from the environmental health department of the Municipal Assembly, while the convicts were farmers residing at Atwima-Agogo-Abease. 

He said, on October 17, 2025, the department received a complaint of the rearing of cattle in a residential area at Agogo-Abease, so a team of officers was dispatched for inspection. 

He said the outcome of the inspection confirmed the complaint and revealed that the activities of the convicts posed a serious health threat to the neighbours in the area. 

He explained that the rearing of cattle in a residential area facilitated the transmission of zoonotic diseases and the invasion of disease-carrying vectors such as flies and rodents, thereby posing a direct public health threat to residents. 

According to the Analyst, anytime it rained, it washed the cow dung into people’s premises, causing an unsightliness, eyesore and offensive odour with its public health consequences. 

Mr Argum said, after explaining the observations to the convicts, they admitted the offence. 

After further investigations, they were charged and brought before the court.